No abstract

Zonotopal algebra deals with ideals and vector spaces of polynomials that are related to several combinatorial and geometric structures defined by a finite sequence of vectors. Given such a sequence X, an integer k>=-1 and an upper set in the lattice of flats of the matroid defined by X, we define and study the associated hierarchical zonotopal power ideal. This ideal is generated by powers of linear forms. Its Hilbert series depends only on the matroid structure of X. Via the Tutte polynomial, it is related to various other matroid invariants, e.g. the shelling polynomial and the characteristic polynomial. This work unifies and generalizes results by Ardila-Postnikov on power ideals and by Holtz-Ron and Holtz-Ron-Xu on (hierarchical) zonotopal algebra. We also generalize a result on zonotopal Cox modules that were introduced by Sturmfels-Xu.Comment: 22 pages, 1 figure; small changes reflecting referees' comments; to appear in European Journal of Combinatoric

International audience Zonotopal algebra deals with ideals and vector spaces of polynomials that are related to several combinatorial and geometric structures defined by a finite sequence of vectors. Given such a sequence $X$, an integer $k \geq -1$ and an upper set in the lattice of flats of the matroid defined by $X$, we define and study the associated $\textit{hierarchical zonotopal power ideal}$. This ideal is generated by powers of linear forms. Its Hilbert series depends only on the matroid structure of $X$. It is related to various other matroid invariants, $\textit{e. g.}$ the shelling polynomial and the characteristic polynomial. This work unifies and generalizes results by Ardila-Postnikov on power ideals and by Holtz-Ron and Holtz-Ron-Xu on (hierarchical) zonotopal algebra. We also generalize a result on zonotopal Cox modules due to Sturmfels-Xu. La théorie de l'algèbre "zonotopique'' s'occupe d'idéaux et d'espaces vectoriels de polynômes qui ont un rapport avec plusieurs structures combinatoires et géométriques définies par des suites finies de vecteurs. Étant donné une telle suite $X$, un nombre entier $k \geq -1$ et un ensemble supérieur dans le treillis des plans du matroïde défini par $X$, nous définissons et étudions l'$\textit{idéal hiérarchique zonotopique}$, engendré par des puissances de formes linéaires. Sa série de Hilbert dépend seulement de la structure matroïdale de $X$. Il existe des relations avec d'autres invariants de matroïdes, tels que le polynôme d'épluchage et le polynôme caractéristique. Ce travail unifie et généralise des résultats d'Ardila-Postnikov sur les idéaux de puissances et de Holtz-Ron et Holtz-Ron-Xu sur l'algèbre zonotopique (hiérarchique). Nous généralisons aussi un résultat sur les modules de Cox zonotopiques, dû à Sturmfels-Xu.

Abstract. Let X be a totally unimodular list of vectors in some lattice. Let B X be the box spline defined by X. Its support is the zonotope Z(X). We show that any real-valued function defined on the set of lattice points in the interior of Z(X) can be extended to a function on Z(X) of the form p(D)B X in a unique way, where p(D) is a differential operator that is contained in the so-called internal P-space. This was conjectured by Olga Holtz and Amos Ron. We also point out connections between this interpolation problem and matroid theory, including a deletion-contraction decomposition.

Zonotopal algebra is the study of a family of pairs of dual vector spaces of multivariate polynomials that can be associated with a list of vectors X. It connects objects from combinatorics, geometry, and approximation theory. The origin of zonotopal algebra is the pair (D(X), P(X)), where D(X) denotes the Dahmen-Micchelli space that is spanned by the local pieces of the box spline and P(X) is a space spanned by products of linear forms.The first main result of this paper is the construction of a canonical basis for D(X). We show that it is dual to the canonical basis for P(X) that is already known.The second main result of this paper is the construction of a new family of zonotopal spaces that is far more general than the ones that were recently studied by Ardila-Postnikov, Holtz-Ron, Holtz-Ron-Xu, Li-Ron, and others. We call the underlying combinatorial structure of those spaces forward exchange matroid. A forward exchange matroid is an ordered matroid together with a subset of its set of bases that satisfies a weak version of the basis exchange axiom.