Permutation statistics on involutions

Abstract

In this paper we look at polynomials arising from statistics on the classes of involutions, $I_n$, and involutions with no fixed points, $J_n$, in the symmetric group. Our results are motivated by F. Brenti's conjecture which states that the Eulerian distribution of $I_n$ is log-concave. Symmetry of the generating functions is shown for the statistics $des,maj$ and the joint distribution $(des,maj)$. We show that $exc$ is log-concave on $I_n$, $inv$ is log-concave on $J_n$ and $des$ is partially unimodal on both $I_n$ and $J_n$. We also give recurrences and explicit forms for the generating functions of the inversions statistic on involutions in Coxeter groups of types $B_n$ and $D_n$. Symmetry and unimodality of $inv$ is shown on the subclass of signed permutations in $D_n$ with no fixed points. In light of these new results, we present further conjectures at the end of the paper.