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Paul Terwilliger

Publications and source records attributed to Paul Terwilliger.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
arXiv2010

Tridiagonal matrices with nonnegative entries

In this paper we characterize the nonnegative irreducible tridiagonal matrices and their permutations, using certain entries in their primitive idempotents. Our main result is summarized as follows. Let $d$ denote a nonnegative integer. Let $A$ denote a matrix in $\matR$ and let $\{þ_i\}_{i=0}^d$ denote the roots of the characteristic polynomial of $A$. We say $A$ is multiplicity-free whenever these roots are mutually distinct and contained in $\R$. In this case $E_i$ will denote the primitive idempotent of $A$ associated with $þ_i$ $(0 \leq i \leq d)$. We say $A$ is symmetrizable whenever there exists an invertible diagonal matrix $Δ\in \matR$ such that $ΔA Δ^{-1}$ is symmetric. Let $Γ(A)$ denote the directed graph with vertex set $\{0,1,...,d\}$, where $i \rightarrow j$ whenever $i \neq j$ and $A_{ij} \neq 0$. Theorem: Assume that each entry of $A$ is nonnegative. Then the following are equivalent for $0 \leq s,t \leq d$: (i) The graph $Γ(A)$ is a bidirected path with endpoints $s$, $t$: (ii) The matrix $A$ is symmetrizable and multiplicity-free. Moreover the $(s,t)$-entry of $E_i$ times $(þ_i-þ_0)...(þ_i-þ_{i-1})(þ_i-þ_{i+1})...(þ_i-þ_d)$ is independent of $i$ for $0 \leq i \leq d$, and this common value is nonzero. Recently Kurihara and Nozaki obtained a theorem that characterizes the $Q$-polynomial property for symmetric association schemes. We view the above result as a linear algebraic generalization of their theorem.

math.CO↗
arXiv2010

Double Affine Hecke Algebras of Rank 1 and the $Z_3$-Symmetric Askey-Wilson Relations

We consider the double affine Hecke algebra $H=H(k_0,k_1,k^\vee_0,k^\vee_1;q)$ associated with the root system $(C^\vee_1,C_1)$. We display three elements $x$, $y$, $z$ in $H$ that satisfy essentially the $Z_3$-symmetric Askey-Wilson relations. We obtain the relations as follows. We work with an algebra $\hat H$ that is more general than $H$, called the universal double affine Hecke algebra of type $(C_1^\vee,C_1)$. An advantage of $\hat H$ over $H$ is that it is parameter free and has a larger automorphism group. We give a surjective algebra homomorphism ${\hat H} \to H$. We define some elements $x$, $y$, $z$ in $\hat H$ that get mapped to their counterparts in $H$ by this homomorphism. We give an action of Artin's braid group $B_3$ on $\hat H$ that acts nicely on the elements $x$, $y$, $z$; one generator sends $x\mapsto y\mapsto z \mapsto x$ and another generator interchanges $x$, $y$. Using the $B_3$ action we show that the elements $x$, $y$, $z$ in $\hat H$ satisfy three equations that resemble the $Z_3$-symmetric Askey-Wilson relations. Applying the homomorphism ${\hat H}\to H$ we find that the elements $x$, $y$, $z$ in $H$ satisfy similar relations.

math.RA↗
arXiv2010

The Rahman polynomials and the Lie algebra sl_3(C)

We interpret the Rahman polynomials in terms of the Lie algebra $sl_3(C)$. Using the parameters of the polynomials we define two Cartan subalgebras for $sl_3(C)$, denoted $H$ and $\tilde{H}$. We display an antiautomorphism $\dagger$ of $sl_3(C)$ that fixes each element of $H$ and each element of $\tilde{H}$. We consider a certain finite-dimensional irreducible $sl_3(C)$-module $V$ consisting of homogeneous polynomials in three variables. We display a nondegenerate symmetric bilinear form $<,>$ on $V$ such that $<βξ,ζ> = < ξ,β^\dagger ζ>$ for all $β\in sl_3(C)$ and $ξ,ζ\in V$. We display two bases for $V$; one diagonalizes $H$ and the other diagonalizes $\tilde{H}$. Both bases are orthogonal with respect to $<,>$. We show that when $<,>$ is applied to a vector in each basis, the result is a trivial factor times a Rahman polynomial evaluated at an appropriate argument. Thus for both transition matrices between the bases each entry is described by a Rahman polynomial. From these results we recover the previously known orthogonality relation for the Rahman polynomials. We also obtain two seven-term recurrence relations satisfied by the Rahman polynomials, along with the corresponding relations satisfied by the dual polynomials. These recurrence relations show that the Rahman polynomials are bispectral. In our theory the roles of $H$ and $\tilde{H}$ are interchangable, and for us this explains the duality and bispectrality of the Rahman polynomials. We view the action of $H$ and $\tilde{H}$ on $V$ as a rank 2 generalization of a Leonard pair.

math.RT↗
arXiv2010

The Equitable Basis for sl_2

This article contains an investigation of the equitable basis for the Lie algebra sl_2. Denoting this basis by {x,y,z}, we have [x,y] = 2x + 2y, [y,z] = 2y + 2z, [z, x] = 2z + 2x. One focus of our study is the group of automorphisms G generated by exp(ad x*), exp(ad y*), exp(ad z*), where {x*,y*,z*} is the basis for sl_2 dual to {x,y,z} with respect to the trace form (u,v) = tr(uv). We show that G is isomorphic to the modular group PSL_2(Z). Another focus of our investigation is the lattice L=Zx+Zy+Zz. We prove that the orbit G(x) equals {u in L |(u,u)=2}. We determine the precise relationship between (i) the group G, (ii) the group of automorphisms for sl_2 that preserve L, (iii) the group of automorphisms and antiautomorphisms for sl_2 that preserve L, and (iv) the group of isometries for (,) that preserve L. We obtain analogous results for the lattice L* =Zx*+Zy*+Zz*. Relative to the equitable basis, the matrix of the trace form is a Cartan matrix of hyperbolic type; consequently,we identify the equitable basis with the set of simple roots of the corresponding Kac-Moody Lie algebra g. Then L is the root lattice for g and 1/2L* is the weight lattice, and G(x) coincides with the set of real roots for g. Using L, L*, and G, we give several descriptions of the isotropic roots for g and show that each isotropic root has multiplicity 1. We describe the finite-dimensional sl_2-modules from the point of view of the equitable basis. In the final section, we establish a connection between the Weyl group orbit of the fundamental weights of g and Pythagorean triples.

math.RT↗
arXiv2010

A classification of sharp tridiagonal pairs

Let $F$ denote a field and let $V$ denote a vector space over $F$ with finite positive dimension. We consider a pair of linear transformations $A:V \to V$ and $A^*:V \to V$ that satisfy the following conditions: (i) each of $A,A^*$ is diagonalizable; (ii) there exists an ordering $\lbrace V_i\rbrace_{i=0}^d$ of the eigenspaces of $A$ such that $A^* V_i \subseteq V_{i-1} + V_{i} + V_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq d$, where $V_{-1}=0$ and $V_{d+1}=0$; (iii) there exists an ordering $\lbrace V^*_i\rbrace_{i=0}^δ$ of the eigenspaces of $A^*$ such that $A V^*_i \subseteq V^*_{i-1} + V^*_{i} + V^*_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq δ$, where $V^*_{-1}=0$ and $V^*_{δ+1}=0$; (iv) there is no subspace $W$ of $V$ such that $AW \subseteq W$, $A^* W \subseteq W$, $W \neq 0$, $W \neq V$. We call such a pair a {\it tridiagonal pair} on $V$. It is known that $d=δ$ and for $ 0 \leq i \leq d$ the dimensions of $V_i,V_{d-i},V^*_i, V^*_{d-i}$ coincide. The pair $A,A^*$ is called {\it sharp} whenever ${\rm dim} V_0=1$. It is known that if $F$ is algebraically closed then $A,A^*$ is sharp. In this paper we classify up to isomorphism the sharp tridiagonal pairs. As a corollary, we classify up to isomorphism the tridiagonal pairs over an algebraically closed field. We obtain these classifications by proving the $μ$-conjecture.

math.RA↗
arXiv2009

On the shape of a tridiagonal pair

Let $K$ denote a field and let $V$ denote a vector space over $K$ with finite positive dimension. We consider a pair of linear transformations $A:V \to V$ and $A^*:V \to V$ that satisfy the following conditions: (i) each of $A,A^*$ is diagonalizable; (ii) there exists an ordering $\lbrace V_i\rbrace_{i=0}^d$ of the eigenspaces of $A$ such that $A^* V_i \subseteq V_{i-1} + V_{i} + V_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq d$, where $V_{-1}=0$ and $V_{d+1}=0$; (iii) there exists an ordering $\lbrace V^*_i\rbrace_{i=0}^δ$ of the eigenspaces of $A^*$ such that $A V^*_i \subseteq V^*_{i-1} + V^*_{i} + V^*_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq δ$, where $V^*_{-1}=0$ and $V^*_{δ+1}=0$; (iv) there is no subspace $W$ of $V$ such that $AW \subseteq W$, $A^* W \subseteq W$, $W \neq 0$, $W \neq V$. We call such a pair a {\it tridiagonal pair} on $V$. It is known that $d=δ$ and for $0 \leq i \leq d$ the dimensions of $V_i$, $V^*_i$, $V_{d-i}$, $V^*_{d-i}$ coincide; we denote this common dimension by $ρ_i$. In this paper we prove that $ρ_i \leq ρ_0 \binom{d}{i}$ for $0 \leq i \leq d$. It is already known that $ρ_0=1$ if $\K$ is algebraically closed.

math.RA↗
arXiv2009

A characterization of Q-polynomial distance-regular graphs

We obtain the following characterization of $Q$-polynomial distance-regular graphs. Let $\G$ denote a distance-regular graph with diameter $d\ge 3$. Let $E$ denote a minimal idempotent of $\G$ which is not the trivial idempotent $E_0$. Let $\{θ_i^*\}_{i=0}^d$ denote the dual eigenvalue sequence for $E$. We show that $E$ is $Q$-polynomial if and only if (i) the entry-wise product $E \circ E$ is a linear combination of $E_0$, $E$, and at most one other minimal idempotent of $\G$; (ii) there exists a complex scalar $β$ such that $θ^*_{i-1}-βθ^*_i + θ^*_{i+1}$ is independent of $i$ for $1 \le i \le d-1$; (iii) $θ^*_i \ne θ^*_0$ for $1 \le i \le d$.

math.CO↗
arXiv2009

Tridiagonal pairs of $q$-Racah type and the $μ$-conjecture

Let $\K$ denote a field and let $V$ denote a vector space over $\K$ with finite positive dimension. We consider a pair of linear transformations $A:V \to V$ and $A^*:V \to V$ that satisfy the following conditions: (i) each of $A,A^*$ is diagonalizable; (ii) there exists an ordering $\lbrace V_i\rbrace_{i=0}^d$ of the eigenspaces of $A$ such that $A^* V_i \subseteq V_{i-1} + V_{i} + V_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq d$, where $V_{-1}=0$ and $V_{d+1}=0$; (iii) there exists an ordering $\lbrace V^*_i\rbrace_{i=0}^δ$ of the eigenspaces of $A^*$ such that $A V^*_i \subseteq V^*_{i-1} + V^*_{i} + V^*_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq δ$, where $V^*_{-1}=0$ and $V^*_{δ+1}=0$; (iv) there is no subspace $W$ of $V$ such that $AW \subseteq W$, $A^* W \subseteq W$, $W \neq 0$, $W \neq V$. We call such a pair a {\it tridiagonal pair} on $V$. It is known that $d=δ$ and for $0 \leq i \leq d$ the dimensions of $V_i$, $V_{d-i}$, $V^*_i$, $V^*_{d-i}$ coincide. We say the pair $A,A^*$ is {\it sharp} whenever $\dim V_0=1$. It is known that if $\K$ is algebraically closed then $A,A^*$ is sharp. A conjectured classification of the sharp tridiagonal pairs was recently introduced by T. Ito and the second author. Shortly afterwards we introduced a conjecture, called the {\em $μ$-conjecture}, which implies the classification conjecture. In this paper we show that the $μ$-conjecture holds in a special case called $q$-Racah.

math.RA↗
arXiv2009

Tridiagonal pairs and the $μ$-conjecture

Let $F$ denote a field and let $V$ denote a vector space over $F$ with finite positive dimension. We consider a pair of linear transformations $A:V \to V$ and $A^*:V \to V$ that satisfy the following conditions: (i) each of $A,A^*$ is diagonalizable; (ii) there exists an ordering $\{V_i\}_{i=0}^d$ of the eigenspaces of $A$ such that $A^* V_i \subseteq V_{i-1} + V_{i} + V_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq d$, where $V_{-1}=0$ and $V_{d+1}=0$; (iii) there exists an ordering $\{V^*_i\}_{i=0}^δ$ of the eigenspaces of $A^*$ such that $A V^*_i \subseteq V^*_{i-1} + V^*_{i} + V^*_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq δ$, where $V^*_{-1}=0$ and $V^*_{δ+1}=0$; (iv) there is no subspace $W$ of $V$ such that $AW \subseteq W$, $A^* W \subseteq W$, $W \neq 0$, $W \neq V$. We call such a pair a {\it tridiagonal pair} on $V$. It is known that $d=δ$ and for $0 \leq i \leq d$ the dimensions of $V_i$, $V_{d-i}$, $V^*_i$, $V^*_{d-i}$ coincide. We say the pair $A,A^*$ is {\it sharp} whenever $\dim V_0=1$. It is known that if $F$ is algebraically closed then $A,A^*$ is sharp. A conjectured classification of the sharp tridiagonal pairs was recently introduced by T. Ito and the second author. We present a result which supports the conjecture. Given scalars $\{þ_i\}_{i=0}^d$, $\{þ^*_i\}_{i=0}^d$ in $F$ that satisfy the known constraints on the eigenvalues of a tridiagonal pair, we define an $F$-algebra $T$ by generators and relations. We consider the algebra $e^*_0Te^*_0$ for a certain idempotent $e^*_0 \in T$. Let $R$ denote the polynomial algebra over $F$ involving $d$ variables.We display a surjective algebra homomorphism $μ: R \to e^*_0Te^*_0$. We conjecture that $μ$ is an isomorphism. We show that this $μ$-conjecture implies the classification conjecture, and that the $μ$-conjecture holds for $d\leq 5$.

math.RA↗
arXiv2009

An algebra generated by two sets of mutually orthogonal idempotents

For a field $F$ and an integer $d\geq 1$, we consider the universal associative $F$-algebra $A$ generated by two sets of $d+1$ mutually orthogonal idempotents. We display four bases for the $F$-vector space $A$ that we find attractive. We determine how these bases are related to each other. We describe how the multiplication in $A$ looks with respect to our bases. Using our bases we obtain an infinite nested sequence of 2-sided ideals for $A$. Using our bases we obtain an infinite exact sequence involving a certain $F$-linear map $\partial: A \to A$. We obtain several results concerning the kernel of $\partial$; for instance this kernel is a subalgebra of $A$ that is free of rank $d$.

math.RA↗
arXiv2009

The augmented tridiagonal algebra

Motivated by investigations of the tridiagonal pairs of linear transformations, we introduce the augmented tridiagonal algebra ${\mathcal T}_q$. This is an infinite-dimensional associative ${\mathbb C}$-algebra with 1. We classify the finite-dimensional irreducible representations of ${\mathcal T}_q$. All such representations are explicitly constructed via embeddings of ${\mathcal T}_q$ into the $U_q(sl_2)$-loop algebra. As an application, tridiagonal pairs over ${\mathbb C}$ are classified in the case where $q$ is not a root of unity.

math.QA↗
arXiv2009

The $q$-Onsager algebra

This article gives a summary of the finite-dimesional irreducible representations of the $q$-Onsager algebra, which are treated in detail in our paper `The augmented tridiagonal algebra'.

math.QA↗
arXiv2008

Mock Tridiagonal Systems

We introduce the notion of a {\it mock tridiagonal system}. This is a generalization of a tridiagonal system in which the irreducibility assumption is replaced by a certain non-vanishing condition. We show how mock tridiagonal systems can be used to construct tridiagonal systems that meet certain specifications. This paper is part of our ongoing project to classify the tridiagonal systems up to isomorphism.

math.RA↗
arXiv2008

How to sharpen a tridiagonal pair

Let $\F$ denote a field and let $V$ denote a vector space over $\F$ with finite positive dimension. We consider a pair of linear transformations $A:V \to V$ and $A^*:V \to V$ that satisfy the following conditions: (i) each of $A,A^*$ is diagonalizable; (ii) there exists an ordering $\lbrace V_i\rbrace_{i=0}^d$ of the eigenspaces of $A$ such that $A^* V_i \subseteq V_{i-1} + V_{i} + V_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq d$, where $V_{-1}=0$ and $V_{d+1}=0$; (iii) there exists an ordering $\lbrace V^*_i\rbrace_{i=0}^δ$ of the eigenspaces of $A^*$ such that $A V^*_i \subseteq V^*_{i-1} + V^*_{i} + V^*_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq δ$, where $V^*_{-1}=0$ and $V^*_{δ+1}=0$; (iv) there is no subspace $W$ of $V$ such that $AW \subseteq W$, $A^* W \subseteq W$, $W \neq 0$, $W \neq V$. We call such a pair a {\it tridiagonal pair} on $V$. It is known that $d=δ$, and for $0 \leq i \leq d$ the dimensions of $V_i, V^*_i, V_{d-i}, V^*_{d-i}$ coincide. Denote this common dimension by $ρ_i$ and call $A,A^*$ {\it sharp} whenever $ρ_0=1$. Let $T$ denote the $\F$-subalgebra of ${\rm End}_\F(V)$ generated by $A,A^*$. We show: (i) the center $Z(T)$ is a field whose dimension over $\F$ is $ρ_0$; (ii) the field $Z(T)$ is isomorphic to each of $E_0TE_0$, $E_dTE_d$, $E^*_0TE^*_0$, $E^*_dTE^*_d$, where $E_i$ (resp. $E^*_i$) is the primitive idempotent of $A$ (resp. $A^*$) associated with $V_i$ (resp. $V^*_i$); (iii) with respect to the $Z(T)$-vector space $V$ the pair $A,A^*$ is a sharp tridiagonal pair.

math.RA↗
arXiv2008

Leonard pairs and the q-Racah polynomials

Let $K$ denote a field and let $V$ denote a vector space over $K$ with finite positive dimension. We consider an ordered pair of linear transformations $A:V\to V$ and $A^*:V\to V$ that satisfy conditions (i), (ii) below. (i) There exists a basis for $V$ with respect to which the matrix representing $A$ is irreducible tridiagonal and the matrix representing $A^*$ is diagonal. (ii) There exists a basis for $V$ with respect to which the matrix representing $A$ is diagonal and the matrix representing $A^*$ is irreducible tridiagonal. We call such a pair a {\it Leonard pair} on $V$. We discuss a correspondence between Leonard pairs and a class of orthogonal polynomials consisting of the $q$-Racah polynomials and some related polynomials of the Askey scheme. For the polynomials in this class we obtain the 3-term recurrence, difference equation, Askey-Wilson duality, and orthogonality in a uniform manner using the corresponding Leonard pair.

math.QA↗
arXiv2008

Tridiagonal pairs of $q$-Racah type

Let $K$ denote an algebraically closed field and let $V$ denote a vector space over $K$ with finite positive dimension. We consider a pair of linear transformations $A:V \to V$ and $A^*:V \to V$ that satisfy the following conditions: (i) each of $A,A^*$ is diagonalizable; (ii) there exists an ordering $\lbrace V_i\rbrace_{i=0}^d$ of the eigenspaces of $A$ such that $A^* V_i \subseteq V_{i-1} + V_{i} + V_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq d$, where $V_{-1}=0$ and $V_{d+1}=0$; (iii) there exists an ordering $\lbrace V^*_i\rbrace_{i=0}^δ$ of the eigenspaces of $A^*$ such that $A V^*_i \subseteq V^*_{i-1} + V^*_{i} + V^*_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq δ$, where $V^*_{-1}=0$ and $V^*_{δ+1}=0$; (iv) there is no subspace $W$ of $V$ such that $AW \subseteq W$, $A^* W \subseteq W$, $W \neq 0$, $W \neq V$. We call such a pair a {\it tridiagonal pair} on $V$. It is known that $d=δ$. For $0 \leq i \leq d$ let $θ_i$ (resp. $θ^*_i$) denote the eigenvalue of $A$ (resp. $A^*$) associated with $V_i$ (resp. $V^*_i$). The pair $A,A^*$ is said to have {\it $q$-Racah type} whenever $θ_i = a + b q^{2i-d}+ c q^{d-2i}$ and $θ^*_i = a^* + b^*q^{2i-d}+c^*q^{d-2i}$ for $0 \leq i \leq d$, where $q, a,b,c,a^*,b^*,c^*$ are scalars in $K$ with $q,b,c,b^*,c^*$ nonzero and $q^2 \not\in \lbrace 1,-1\rbrace$. This type is the most general one. We classify up to isomorphism the tridiagonal pairs over $K$ that have $q$-Racah type. Our proof involves the representation theory of the quantum affine algebra $U_q(\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}}_2)$.

math.QA↗
arXiv2008

The Drinfel'd polynomial of a tridiagonal pair

Let $K$ denote a field and let $V$ denote a vector space over $K$ with finite positive dimension. We consider a pair of linear transformations $A:V \to V$ and $A^*:V \to V$ that satisfy the following conditions: (i) each of $A,A^*$ is diagonalizable; (ii) there exists an ordering $\{V_i\}{i=0}^d$ of the eigenspaces of $A$ such that $A^* V_i \subseteq V_{i-1} + V_{i} + V_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq d$, where $V_{-1}=0$ and $V_{d+1}=0$; (iii) there exists an ordering $\{V^*_i\}{i=0}^δ$ of the eigenspaces of $A^*$ such that $A V^*_i \subseteq V^*_{i-1} + V^*_{i} + V^*_{i+1}$ for $0 \leq i \leq δ$, where $V^*_{-1}=0$ and $V^*_{δ+1}=0$; (iv) there is no subspace $W$ of $V$ such that $AW \subseteq W$, $A^* W \subseteq W$, $W \neq 0$, $W \neq V$. We call such a pair a {\it tridiagonal pair} on $V$. It is known that $d=δ$ and for $0 \leq i \leq d$ the dimensions of $V_i$, $V_{d-i}$, $V^*_i$, $V^*_{d-i}$ coincide. The pair $A,A^*$ is called {\it sharp} whenever $\dim V_0=1$. It is known that if $K$ is algebraically closed then $A,A^*$ is sharp. Assuming $A,A^*$ is sharp, we use the data $Φ=(A; \{V_i\}{i=0}^d; A^*; \{V^*_i\}{i=0}^d)$ to define a polynomial $P$ in one variable and degree at most $d$. We show that $P$ remains invariant if $Φ$ is replaced by $(A;\{V_{d-i}\}{i=0}^d; A^*; \{V^*_i\}{i=0}^d)$ or $(A;\{V_i\}{i=0}^d; A^*; \{V^*_{d-i}\}{i=0}^d)$ or $(A^*; \{V^*_i\}{i=0}^d; A; \{V_i\}{i=0}^d)$. We call $P$ the {\it Drinfel'd polynomial} of $A,A^*$. We explain how $P$ is related to the classical Drinfel'd polynomial from the theory of Lie algebras and quantum groups. We expect that the roots of $P$ will be useful in a future classification of the sharp tridiagonal pairs. We compute the roots of $P$ for the case in which $V_i$ and $V^*_i$ have dimension 1 for $0 \leq i \leq d$.

math.RA↗
arXiv2008

Two linear transformations each tridiagonal with respect to an eigenbasis of the other; an algebraic approach to the Askey scheme of orthogonal polynomials

Let $K$ denote a field, and let $V$ denote a vector space over $K$ with finite positive dimension. We consider a pair of linear transformations $A:V\to V$ and $A^*:V\to V$ that satisfy the following two conditions: There exists a basis for $V$ with respect to which the matrix representing $A$ is irreducible tridiagonal and the matrix representing $A^*$ is diagonal. There exists a basis for $V$ with respect to which the matrix representing $A^*$ is irreducible tridiagonal and the matrix representing $A$ is diagonal. We call such a pair a Leonard pair on $V$. We give a correspondence between Leonard pairs and a class of orthogonal polynomials. This class coincides with the terminating branch of the Askey scheme and consists of the $q$-Racah, $q$-Hahn, dual $q$-Hahn, $q$-Krawtchouk, dual $q$-Krawtchouk, quantum $q$-Krawtchouk, affine $q$-Krawtchouk, Racah, Hahn, dual Hahn, Krawtchouk, Bannai/Ito, and orphan polynomials. We describe the above correspondence in detail. We show how, for the listed polynomials, the 3-term recurrence, difference equation, Askey-Wilson duality, and orthogonality can be expressed in a uniform and attractive manner using the corresponding Leonard pair. We give some examples that indicate how Leonard pairs arise in representation theory and algebraic combinatorics. We discuss a mild generalization of a Leonard pair called a tridiagonal pair. At the end we list some open problems. Throughout these notes our argument is elementary and uses only linear algebra. No prior exposure to the topic is assumed.

math.QA↗