Schubert polynomials, the Bruhat order, and the geometry of flag manifolds

Abstract

We illuminate the relation between the Bruhat order on the symmetric group and structure constants (Littlewood-Richardson coefficients) for the cohomology of the flag manifold in terms of its basis of Schubert classes. Equivalently, the structure constants for the ring of polynomials in variables $x_1,x_2,...$ in terms of its basis of Schubert polynomials. We use combinatorial, algebraic, and geometric methods, notably a study of intersections of Schubert varieties and maps between flag manifolds. We establish a number of new identities among these structure constants. This leads to formulas for some of these constants and new results on the enumeration of chains in the Bruhat order. A new graded partial order on the symmetric group which contains Young's lattice arises from these investigations. We also derive formulas for certain specializations of Schubert polynomials.