Properties of Some Character Tables Related to the Symmetric Groups

We determine invariants like the Smith normal form and the determinant for certain integral matrices which arise from the character tables of the symmetric groups S_n and their double covers. In particular, we give a simple computation, based on the theory of Hall-Littlewood symmetric functions, of the determinant of the regular character table _RC of S_n with respect to an integer r 2. This result had earlier been proved by Olsson in a longer and more indirect manner. As a consequence, we obtain a new proof of the Mathas Conjecture on the determinant of the Cartan matrix of the Iwahori-Hecke algebra. When r is prime we determine the Smith normal form of _RC. Taking r large yields the Smith normal form of the full character table of S_n. Analogous results are then given for spin characters.Partially supported by The Danish National Research Council.Partially supported by NSF grant #DMS-9988459.