Polynomials for symmetric orbit closures in the flag variety

Abstract

In [Wyser-Yong '13] we introduced polynomial representatives of cohomology classes of orbit closures in the flag variety, for the symmetric pair $(GL_{p+q}, GL_p \times GL_q)$. We present analogous results for the remaining symmetric pairs of the form $(GL_n,K)$, i.e., $(GL_n,O_n)$ and $(GL_{2n},Sp_{2n})$. We establish the well-definedness of certain representatives from [Wyser '13]. It is also shown that the representatives have the combinatorial properties of nonnegativity and stability. Moreover, we give some extensions to equivariant $K$-theory.