Boolean product polynomials, Schur positivity, and Chern plethysm

Abstract: Let $1\leq k \leq n$ and let $X_n = (x_1, \dots, x_n)$ be a list of $n$ variables. The {\em Boolean product polynomial} $B_{n,k}(X_n)$ is the product of the linear forms $\sum_{i \in S} x_i$ where $S$ ranges over all $k$-element subsets of ${1, 2, \dots, n}$. We prove that Boolean product polynomials are Schur positive. We do this via a new method of proving Schur positivity using vector bundles and a symmetric function operation we call {\em Chern plethysm}. This gives a geometric method for producing a vast array of Schur positive polynomials whose Schur positivity lacks (at present) a combinatorial or representation theoretic proof. We relate the polynomials $B_{n,k}(X_n)$ for certain $k$ to other combinatorial objects including derangements, positroids, alternating sign matrices, and reverse flagged fillings of a partition shape. We also relate $B_{n,n-1}(X_n)$ to a bigraded action of the symmetric group $\mathfrak{S}_n$ on a divergence free quotient of superspace.