Maximal Strings in the Crystal Graph of Spin Representations of the Symmetric and Alternating Groups

We define a block-reduced version of the crystal graph of spin representations of the symmetric and alternating groups, and separate it into layers, each obtained by translating the previous layer and, possibly, adding new defect zero blocks. We demonstrate that each layer has weight-preserving central symmetry, and study the sequence of weights occurring in the maximal strings.

The Broué conjecture, that a block with abelian defect group is derived equivalent to its Brauer correspondent, has been proven for blocks of cyclic defect group and verified for many other blocks. This article is part of a study of the spin block case.