On Generalized Minors and Quiver Representations

Abstract

The cluster algebra of any acyclic quiver can be realized as the coordinate ring of a subvariety of a Kac-Moody group -- the quiver is an orientation of its Dynkin diagram, defining a Coxeter element and thereby a double Bruhat cell. We use this realization to connect representations of the quiver with those of the group. We show that cluster variables of preprojective (resp. postinjective) quiver representations are realized by generalized minors of highest-weight (resp. lowest-weight) group representations, generalizing results of Yang-Zelevinsky in finite type. In type $A_n^{\!(1)}$ and finitely many other affine types, we show that cluster variables of regular quiver representations are realized by generalized minors of group representations that are neither highest- nor lowest-weight; we conjecture this holds more generally.