Difference operators for partitions under the Littlewood decomposition

Abstract: The concept of $t$-difference operator for functions of partitions is introduced to prove a generalization of Stanley's theorem on polynomiality of Plancherel averages of symmetric functions related to contents and hook lengths. Our extension uses a generalization of the notion of Plancherel measure, based on walks in the Young lattice with steps given by the addition of $t$-hooks. It is well-known that the hook lengths of multiples of $t$ can be characterized by the Littlewood decomposition. Our study gives some further information on the contents and hook lengths of other congruence classes modulo $t$.