A combinatorial model for $q$-characters of fundamental modules of type $D_n$

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a combinatorial path model of representation of the quantum affine algebra of type $D_n$, inspired by Mukhin and Young's combinatorial path models of representations of the quantum affine algebras of types $A_n$ and $B_n$. In particular, we give a combinatorial formula for $q$-characters of fundamental modules of type $D_n$ by assigning each path to a monomial or binomial. By counting our paths, a new expression on dimensions of fundamental modules of type $D_n$ is obtained.