Polynomials from combinatorial $K$-theory

Abstract: We introduce two new bases of the ring of polynomials and study their relations to known bases. The first basis is the quasiLascoux basis, which is simultaneously both a $K$-theoretic deformation of the quasikey basis and also a lift of the $K$-analogue of the quasiSchur basis from quasisymmetric polynomials to general polynomials. We give positive expansions of this quasiLascoux basis into the glide and Lascoux atom bases, as well as a positive expansion of the Lascoux basis into the quasiLascoux basis. As a special case, these expansions give the first proof that the $K$-analogues of quasiSchur polynomials expand positively in multifundamental quasisymmetric polynomials of T. Lam and P. Pylyavskyy. The second new basis is the kaon basis, a $K$-theoretic deformation of the fundamental particle basis. We give positive expansions of the glide and Lascoux atom bases into this kaon basis. Throughout, we explore how the relationships among these $K$-analogues mirror the relationships among their cohomological counterparts. We make several 'alternating sum' conjectures that are suggestive of Euler characteristic calculations.