Equivariant ($K$-)homology of affine Grassmannian and Toda lattice

TL;DR

This paper studies the equivariant homology and K-theory of affine Grassmannians for complex algebraic groups, revealing their algebraic structures, spectra, and connections to integrable systems like Toda lattice.

Contribution

It identifies the spectra of homology and K-theory rings with universal centralizers and relates the equivariant homology to Kostant's Toda lattice system.

Findings

Spectrum of homology ring matches the universal group-algebra centralizer of the dual group.

Adding loop-rotation equivariance yields a Poisson deformation related to the universal centralizer.

Computed the equivariant K-ring of the affine Grassmannian Steinberg variety.

Abstract

For an almost simple complex algebraic group $G$ with affine Grassmannian $Gr_G= G(C((t)))/G(C[[t]])$ we consider the equivariant homology $H^{G(C[[t]])}(Gr_G)$, and $K$-theory $K^{G(C[[t]])}(Gr_G)$. They both have a commutative ring structure, with respect to convolution. We identify the spectrum of homology ring with the universal group-algebra centralizer of the Langlands dual group $\check G$, and we relate the spectrum of $K$-homology ring to the universal group-group centralizer of $G$ and of $\check G$. If we add the loop-rotation equivariance, we obtain a noncommutative deformation of the ($K$)-homology ring, and thus a Poisson structure on its spectrum. We identify this structure with the standard one on the universal centralizer. The commutative subring of $G(C[[t]])$-equivariant homology of the point gives rise to a polarization which is related to Kostant's Toda lattice integrable system. We also compute the equivariant $K$-ring of the affine Grassmannian Steinberg variety. The equivariant $K$-homology of $Gr_G$ is equipped with a canonical base formed by the classes of simple equivariant perverse coherent sheaves. Their convolution is again perverse and is related to the Feigin-Loktev fusion product of $G(C[[t]])$-modules.