# The orbit algebra of a permutation group with polynomial profile is Cohen-Macaulay

1 GALaC - LRI - Graphes, Algorithmes et Combinatoire (LRI)
LRI - Laboratoire de Recherche en Informatique
Abstract : Let $G$ be a group of permutations of a denumerable set $E$. The profile of $G$ is the function $\phi_G$ which counts, for each $n$, the (possibly infinite) number $\phi_G(n)$ of orbits of $G$ acting on the $n$-subsets of $E$. Counting functions arising this way, and their associated generating series, form a rich yet apparently strongly constrained class. In particular, Cameron conjectured in the late seventies that, whenever $\phi_G(n)$ is bounded by a polynomial, it is asymptotically equivalent to a polynomial. In 1985, Macpherson further asked if the orbit algebra of $G$ - a graded commutative algebra invented by Cameron and whose Hilbert function is $\phi_G$ - is finitely generated. In this paper, we announce a proof of a stronger statement: the orbit algebra is Cohen-Macaulay. The generating series of the profile is a rational fraction whose numerator has positive coefficients and denominator admits a combinatorial description. The proof uses classical techniques from group actions, commutative algebra, and invariant theory; it steps towards a classification of ages of permutation groups with profile bounded by a polynomial.
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Conference papers
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Cited literature [13 references]

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01763795
Contributor : Justine Falque <>
Submitted on : Wednesday, April 11, 2018 - 3:23:00 PM
Last modification on : Thursday, July 8, 2021 - 3:50:37 AM

### Identifiers

• HAL Id : hal-01763795, version 1
• ARXIV : 1804.03489

### Citation

Justine Falque, Nicolas M. Thiéry. The orbit algebra of a permutation group with polynomial profile is Cohen-Macaulay. 30th International Conference of Formal Power Series and Algebraic Combinatorics (FPSAC 2018), Jul 2018, Hanover, United States. ⟨hal-01763795⟩

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