The $h$-polynomial and the rook polynomial of some polyominoes

TL;DR

This paper investigates the relationship between the $h$-polynomial and rook configurations in convex polyominoes, providing partial confirmation of a conjecture characterizing thin polyominoes through algebraic and combinatorial properties.

Contribution

It establishes a new inequality linking the $h$-polynomial coefficient and rook configurations, advancing the understanding of polyomino classification.

Findings

Proves that $h_2 < r_2$ for non-thin polyominoes.

Supports a conjecture characterizing thin polyominoes.

Connects algebraic invariants with combinatorial configurations.

Abstract

Let $X$ be a convex polyomino such that its vertex set is a sublattice of $\mathbb{N}^2$. Let $\Bbbk[X]$ be the toric ring (over a field $\Bbbk$) associated to $X$ in the sense of Qureshi, \emph{J. Algebra}, 2012. Write the Hilbert series of $\Bbbk[X]$ as $(1 + h_1 t + h_2 t^2 + \cdots )/(1-t)^{\dim(\Bbbk[X])}$. For $k \in \mathbb{N}$, let $r_k$ be the number of configurations in $X$ with $k$ pairwise non-attacking rooks. We show that $h_2 < r_2$ if $X$ is not a thin polyomino. This partially confirms a conjectured characterization of thin polyominoes by Rinaldo and Romeo, \emph{J. Algebraic Combin.}, 2021.