Abstract | Let λ = (λ1, . . . , λt) be a partition of m and λ' = (λ', . . . , λ'λ1 ) its conjugate partition. Denote also by λ the irreducible C-character of Sm associated with λ. Let V be a finite dimensional vector space over C. The reach of an element of the symmetry class of tensors Vλ (symmetry class of tensors associated with λ) is defined. The concept of critical element is introduced, as an element whose reach has dimension equal to λ'1. It is observed the coincidence, in ΛmV , of the notions of critical element and decomposable element. Known results for decomposable elements of ΛmV are extended to critical elements of Vλ. In particular, for a basis of ΘmV induced by a basis of V, generalized Plücker polynomials are constructed in a way that the set of their common roots contains the set of the families of components of decomposable critical elements of Vλ. |