Real Springer fibers and odd arc algebras (2003.07297v3)

Abstract: We give a topological description of the two-row Springer fiber over the real numbers. We show its cohomology ring coincides with the oddification of the cohomology ring of the complex Springer fiber introduced by Lauda-Russell. We also realize Ozsv\'ath-Rasmussen-Szab\'o odd TQFT from pullbacks and exceptional pushforwards along inclusion and projection maps between hypertori. Using these results, we construct the odd arc algebra as a convolution algebra over components of the real Springer fiber, giving an odd analogue of a construction of Stroppel-Webster.