Affine $\imath$quantum groups and Steinberg varieties of type C

Abstract

We provide a geometric realization of the quasi-split affine $\imath$quantum group of type AIII$_{2n-1}^{(τ)}$ in terms of equivariant K-groups of non-connected Steinberg varieties of type C. This uses a new Drinfeld type presentation of this affine $\imath$quantum group which admits very nontrivial Serre relations. We then construct à la Springer a family of finite-dimensional standard modules and irreducible modules of this $\imath$quantum group, and provide a composition multiplicity formula of the standard modules.