Brion atoms for classical types

Abstract

Let $G$ be a classical group defined over the complex numbers with a Borel subgroup $B$. Choose a holomorphic involution of $G$ and let $K$ be its set of fixed points. The group $K$ acts on the flag variety $G/B$ with finitely many orbits and Brion has derived a general formula for the cohomology classes of the corresponding orbit closures as linear combinations of Schubert classes. This article provides a uniform description of the sets of Weyl group elements (which we refer to as Brion atoms) that index the terms in this formula. We also include some applications of our classifications, including a refinement of Brion's cohomology formula.

59 pages, 2 figures, 5 tables; v2: major revision, many corrections; v3: major rewrite, extension corrections and reorganization