Algebraic versus physical uniqueness of MHV gravity numerators
Lin Mai, Yaobo Zhang
hep-th
Aug 12, 2026 · v1
TL;DR
Finite-dimensional rank and ideal-membership consequences in the MHV gravity numerator analysis are independently verified in Lean.
Abstract
We study whether a tree-level MHV gravity numerator is determined by its degree and by vanishing on $\langle ij\rangle=[ij]=0$ for every pair. A flag-variety standard-monomial basis and an $S_n$-resolved restriction map reduce the problem to exact finite-dimensional calculations. At seven points we find $W_{7,\mathbb{Q}}\simeq S^{(2,1^5)}\oplus S^{(1^7)}$. The Hodges numerator spans the sign summand, while the six-dimensional hook gives additional algebraic solutions. The pair-ideal conditions therefore do not determine a unique algebraic solution, but Bose symmetry selects the Hodges line. At eight points, pair-ideal conditions and Bose symmetry leave a two-dimensional alternating space. Same-helicity BCFW scaling, normalized collinear factorization, and the leading soft coefficient impose the same linear condition and select the Hodges line. We also prove that, at arbitrary multiplicity, an alternating fixed-degree numerator is determined by its full value on one collinear boundary with the marked legs and their spinor ratio fixed. Together with standard factorization, this determines the numerator up to normalization within the fixed-common-denominator ansatz. All rank and ideal-membership calculations use exact integer or rational arithmetic, and their finite-dimensional consequences are checked separately in Lean.
Problem
For tree-level MHV gravity, one asks whether the numerator's degree together with vanishing on all pair loci ⟨ij⟩=[ij]=0 determines it up to scale. Prior work conjectured uniqueness at every multiplicity, but this needs checking at higher points.
Approach
A flag-variety standard-monomial basis and an S_n-resolved restriction map reduce the pair-ideal problem to exact finite-dimensional linear algebra. Rank and ideal-membership computations use exact integer/rational arithmetic. Their finite-dimensional consequences are separately checked in Lean.
Results
At seven points the pair-ideal intersection decomposes as S^{(2,1^5)}⊕S^{(1^7)}, so algebraic uniqueness fails but Bose symmetry selects the Hodges line. At eight points a two-dimensional alternating space remains, fixed uniquely by BCFW scaling, collinear factorization, or the soft coefficient.