Invariant differential operators for quantum symmetric spaces, II

Abstract

The two papers in this series analyze quantum invariant differential operators for quantum symmetric spaces in the maximally split case. In this paper, we complete the proof of a quantum version of Harish-Chandra's theorem: There is a Harish-Chandra map which induces an isomorphism between the ring of quantum invariant differential operators and a ring of Laurent polynomial invariants with respect to the dotted action of the restricted Weyl group. We find a particularly nice basis for the quantum invariant differential operators that provides a new interpretation of difference operators associated to Macdonald polynomials. Finally, we set the stage for a general quantum counterpart to noncompact zonal spherical functions.