Graded multiplicities in the exterior algebra (Q5937634)

For a complex simple Lie algebra \(\mathfrak g\) and a simple \(\mathfrak g\)-module \(V(\lambda)\) of heighest weight \(\lambda\), the graded multiplicity of \(V(\lambda)\) in the exterior algebra \(\Lambda\mathfrak g\) is defined as the polynomial \(\text{GM}_{\lambda}(q)=\sum_{n\geq 0}[\Lambda^n{\mathfrak g}:V(\lambda)]q^n\). The polynomials \(\text{GM}_{\lambda}\) are known for particular values of \(\lambda\) only, see for example [\textit{M. Reeder}, Can. J. Math. 49, 133-159 (1997; Zbl 0878.20028)] for the case when \(\lambda\) is close to the sum of all positive roots of \(\mathfrak g\). For the trivial representation, \(\text{GM}_0(q)=\prod_{i=1}^r(1+q^{2d_i+1})\), where \(d_1,\ldots,d_r\) are the exponents of the Weyl group of \(\mathfrak g\) and \(r=\text{rank }\mathfrak g\), and \(\text{GM}_0\) corresponds to rational cohomology classes on a compact group with Lie algebra \(\mathfrak g\). Let \(\theta\) and \(\theta_s\) be the highest root and the highest short root of \(\mathfrak g\), the latter existing only for Dynkin diagrams which are not simply laced. It is known that \(0\), \(\theta\) and \(\theta_s\) are the smallest dominant weights such that the corresponding irreducible representations have nontrivial multiplicities in \(\Lambda\mathfrak g\). In the paper under review the author establishes a formula for the graded multiplicity of the adjoint representation \(V(\theta)\) and for \(V(\theta_s)\). The expression \[ \text{GM}_{\theta}(q)=(1+q^{-1})\left(\prod_{i=1}^{r-1}(1+q^{2d_i+1})\right) \sum_{i=1}^rq^{2d_i} \] was conjectured in [\textit{A. Joseph}, NATO ASI Ser., Ser. C, Math. Phys. Sci. 514, 237-300 (1998; Zbl 0917.17003)]. The proof of the formulae follows the idea of Joseph to express \(\text{GM}_{\lambda}\) in terms of Macdonald polynomials and then to calculate a certain value of the Macdonald scalar product. The considerations are carried out in the frame of Macdonald theory, involving combinatorial properties of root systems and Weyl groups, combined with arguments from representation theory of Hecke algebras. As a by-product, the author also obtains some results of independent interest.