Double orthodontia formulas and Lascoux positivity

Abstract

We give a new formula for double Grothendieck polynomials based on Magyar's orthodontia algorithm for diagrams. Our formula implies a similar formula for double Schubert polynomials $\mathfrak S_w(\mathbf x;\mathbf y)$. We also prove a curious positivity result: for vexillary permutations $w\in S_n$, the polynomial $x_1^n\dots x_n^n \mathfrak S_w(x_n^{-1}, \dots, x_1^{-1}; 1,\dots,1)$ is a graded nonnegative sum of Lascoux polynomials. We conjecture that this positivity result holds for all $w\in S_n$. This conjecture would follow from a problem of independent interest regarding Lascoux positivity of certain products of Lascoux polynomials.