Centralizers of Iwahori-Hecke algebras

Abstract

To date, integral bases for the centre of the Iwahori-Hecke algebra of a finite Coxeter group have relied on character theoretical results and the isomorphism between the Iwahori-Hecke algebra when semisimple and the group algebra of the finite Coxeter group. In this paper, we generalize the minimal basis approach of an earlier paper, to provide a way of describing and calculating elements of the minimal basis for the centre of an Iwahori-Hecke algebra which is entirely combinatorial in nature, and independent of both the above mentioned theories. This opens the door to further generalization of the minimal basis approach to other cases. In particular, we show that generalizing it to centralizers of parabolic subalgebras requires only certain properties in the Coxeter group. We show here that these properties hold for groups of type A A and B B , giving us the minimal basis theory for centralizers of any parabolic subalgebra in these types of Iwahori-Hecke algebra.