The Deligne-Simpson Problem
Published: Sep 15, 2025
Last Updated: Sep 15, 2025
Authors:William Crawley-Boevey
Abstract
Given k similarity classes of invertible matrices, the Deligne-Simpson problem asks to determine whether or not one can find matrices in these classes whose product is the identity and with no common invariant subspace. The author conjectured an answer in terms of an associated root system, and proved one implication in joint work with Shaw. In this paper we prove the other implication, thus confirming the conjecture.