Polar Root Polytopes that are Zonotopes

Abstract

Let $\mathcal P_{\Phi}$ be the root polytope of a finite irreducible crystallographic root system $\Phi$, i.e., the convex hull of all roots in $\Phi$. The polar of $\mathcal P_{\Phi}$, denoted $\mathcal P_{\Phi}^*$, coincides with the union of the orbit of the fundamental alcove under the action of the Weyl group. In this paper, we establishes which polytopes $\mathcal P_{\Phi}^*$ are zonotopes and which are not. The proof is constructive.