Noncommutative crossing partitions

Abstract

We define and study noncommutative crossing partitions which are a generalization of non-crossing partitions. By introducing a new cover relation on binary trees, we show that the partially ordered set of noncommutative crossing partitions is a graded lattice. This new lattice contains the Kreweras lattice, the lattice of non-crossing partitions, as a sublattice. We calculate the M\"obius function, the number of maximal chains and the number of $k$-chains in this new lattice by constructing an explicit $EL$-labeling on the lattice. By use of the $EL$-labeling, we recover the classical results on the Kreweras lattice. We characterize two endomorphism on the Kreweras lattice, the Kreweras complement map and the involution defined by Simion and Ullman, in terms of the maps on the noncommutative crossing partitions. We also establish relations among three combinatorial objects: labeled $k+1$-ary trees, $k$-chains in the lattice, and $k$-Dyck tilings.