Vector-valued Heckman-Opdam polynomials: a Steinberg variation

Abstract

We develop a theory of Jacobi polynomials for parabolic subgroups of finite reflection groups that specializes to the cases studied by Heckman and Opdam in which the whole group and the trivial group are considered. For the intermediate cases we combine results of Steinberg and Heckman and Opdam to obtain new examples of families of vector-valued orthogonal polynomials with properties similar to those of the usual Jacobi polynomials. Most notably we show that these polynomials, when suitably interpreted as vector-valued polynomials, are determined up to scaling as simultaneous eigenfunctions of a commutative algebra of differential operators. We establish an example in which the vector-valued Jacobi polynomials can be identified with spherical functions for a higher $K$-type on a compact symmetric pair with restricted root system of Dynkin type $A_{2}$. We also describe how to obtain new examples of matrix-valued orthogonal polynomials in several variables.