Unequal-parameter Kostka--Foulkes polynomials of type $C_n$ at fundamental weights

Abstract

We establish an explicit formula for the Kostka--Foulkes polynomial of type $C_n$ with unequal parameters at fundamental weights. As an application, we deduce an explicit Lusztig--Kato formula for the Hecke algebra of the special (but not hyperspecial) maximal compact subgroup of a quasi-split but non-split special orthogonal group over a $p$-adic field.