A theory of polyhedra

Lattice polytopes in convex geometry (including relations with commutative algebra and algebraic geometry) (52B20) Dissections and valuations (Hilbert's third problem, etc.) (52B45)

Review text

What has been called by \textit{J. Lawrence} [Discrete Comput. Geom. 3, No. 4, 307-324 (1988; Zbl 0646.52003)] (and unpublished notes) and \textit{K. G. Fischer} and \textit{J. Shapiro} [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 78, No. 3, 239-251 (1992; Zbl 0756.52015)] the Minkowski ring is the additive group with a generator \([P]\) for each convex polytope \(P\) in \(R^ d\), satisfying the relations \([P \cup Q] + [P\cap Q] = [P] + [Q]\) whenever \(P \cup Q\) is also convex (corresponding to the valuation property; \([\emptyset] = 0\)), with multiplication induced by Minkowski addition, so that \([P]\cdot [Q] = [P + Q]\). Here author works with the not necessarily bounded convex polyhedra in a module over an ordered ring, initially showing that the earlier theory generalizes in a natural way. A central result is that the mapping taking a polyhedron into the exponential of its support functional induces a separating ring homomorphism on the Minkowski ring. When translation invariance \([P + t] = [P]\) for translation vectors \(t\) is additionally imposed, in \(R^ d\) one obtains the polytope algebra of the reviewer [Adv. Math. 78, No. 1, 76-130 (1989; Zbl 0686.52005)]. The author reproves many of the results of the latter paper in the more general context. The most novel part of the paper is the last. There the author imposes a \(\lambda\)-ring structure on the ring; this is developed in various ways, generalizing notions from \(K\)-theory. Results of note here describe the lattice point enumerator in terms of characteristic classes, and give a combinatorial Riemann-Roch theorem. The paper provides a foundation for valuation theory on general polyhedra, and insights into possible future directions for research.

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