Geometric description of discrete power function associated with the sixth Painlev\'e equation

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the discrete power function associated with the sixth Painlev\'e equation. This function is a special solution of the so-called cross-ratio equation with a similarity constraint. We show in this paper that this system is embedded in a cubic lattice with $\widetilde{W}(3A_1^{(1)})$ symmetry. By constructing the action of $\widetilde{W}(3A_1^{(1)})$ as a subgroup of $\widetilde{W}(D_4^{(1)})$, i.e., the symmetry group of P$_{\rm VI}$, we show how to relate $\widetilde{W}(D_4^{(1)})$ to the symmetry group of the lattice. Moreover, by using translations in $\widetilde{W}(3A_1^{(1)})$, we explain the odd-even structure appearing in previously known explicit formulas in terms of the $\tau$ function.