Enriched $P$-partitions and peak algebras

Abstract

We develop a more general view of Stembridge's enriched $P$-partitions and use this theory to outline the structure of peak algebras for the symmetric group and the hyperoctahedral group. Initially we focus on commutative peak algebras, spanned by sums of permutations with the same number of peaks, where we consider several variations on the definition of "peak." Whereas Stembridge's enriched $P$-partitions are related to quasisymmetric functions (the dual coalgebra of Solomon's type A descent algebra), our generalized enriched $P$-partitions are related to type B quasisymmetric functions (the dual coalgebra of Solomon's type B descent algebra). Using these functions, we move on to explore (non-commutative) peak algebras spanned by sums of permutations with the same set of peaks. While some of these algebras have been studied before, our approach gives explicit structure constants with a combinatorial description.