The bar automorphism in quantum groups and geometry of quiver representations (Q818308)

Let \(\mathfrak g\) be a semisimple Lie algebra whose Dynkin diagram is simply-laced. The positive part \(U_{\nu}(\mathfrak g)^+\) of the quantized enveloping algebra of \(\mathfrak g\) has a PBW-basis and also admits a bar involution. These are two basic ingredients for Lusztig's construction of the canonical basis [\textit{G. Lusztig}, J. Am. Math. Soc. 3, 447--498 (1990; Zbl 0703.17008)]. The purpose of the present paper is to give two geometric interpretations of the coefficients of the bar automorphism in the PBW-basis. The first is in the framework of the Hall algebra approach to quantum groups; the coefficients are computed in terms of rational points over finite fields of quiver analogues of orbital varieties. The second interpretation, a consequence of the first, is in terms of a duality of constructible functions in preprojective varieties of quivers, see [\textit{G. Lusztig}, ``Canonical bases arising from quantized enveloping algebras. II'', Prog. Theor. Phys. 102, Suppl., 175--201 (1990; Zbl 0776.17012)].