Combinatorial Models for the Variety of Complete Quadrics

We develop several combinatorial models that are useful in the study of the $SL_n$-variety $\mathcal{X}$ of complete quadrics. Barred permutations parameterize the fixed points of the action of a maximal torus $T$ of $SL_n$, while $\mu$-involutions parameterize the orbits of a Borel subgroup of $SL_n$. Using these combinatorial objects, we characterize the $T$-stable curves and surfaces on $\mathcal{X}$, compute the $T$-equivariant $K$-theory of $\mathcal{X}$, and describe a Bia{\l}ynicki-Birula cell decomposition for $\mathcal{X}$. Furthermore, we give a computational characterization of the Bruhat order on Borel orbits in $\mathcal{X}$.