Quantum dimensions and their non-Archimedean degenerations

Abstract

We derive explicit dimension formulas for irreducible $M_F$-spherical $K_F$-representations where $K_F$ is the maximal compact subgroup of the general linear group $GL(d,F)$ over a local field $F$ and $M_F$ is a closed subgroup of $K_F$ such that $K_F/M_F$ realizes the Grassmannian of $n$-dimensional $F$-subspaces of $F^d$. We explore the fact that $(K_F,M_F)$ is a Gelfand pair whose associated zonal spherical functions identify with various degenerations of the multivariable little $q$-Jacobi polynomials. As a result, we are led to consider generalized dimensions defined in terms of evaluations and quadratic norms of multivariable little $q$-Jacobi polynomials, which interpolate between the various classical dimensions. The generalized dimensions themselves are shown to have representation theoretic interpretations as the quantum dimensions of irreducible spherical quantum representations associated to quantum complex Grassmannians.