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Let $Q$ be a quiver of extended Dynkin type $\widetilde{D}_n$. In this first of two papers, the authors show that the quiver Grassmannian $\mathrm{Gr}_{\underline{e}}(M)$ has a decomposition into affine spaces for every dimension vector $\underline{e}$ and every indecomposable representation $M$ of defect $-1$ and defect $0$, with the exception of the non-Schurian representations in homogeneous tubes. The authors characterize the affine spaces in terms of the combinatorics of a fixed coefficient quiver for $M$. The method of proof is to exhibit explicit equations for the Schubert cells of $\mathrm{Gr}_{\underline{e}}(M)$ and to solve this system of equations successively in linear terms. This leads to an intricate combinatorial problem, for whose solution the authors develop the theory of Schubert systems. In Part 2 of this pair of papers, they extend the result of this paper to all indecomposable representations $M$ of $Q$ and determine explicit formulae for the $F$-polynomial of $M$.

For any cluster algebra whose underlying combinatorial data can be encoded by a bordered surface with marked points, the authors construct a geometric realization in terms of suitable decorated Teichmüller space of the surface. On the geometric side, this requires opening the surface at each interior marked point into an additional geodesic boundary component. On the algebraic side, it relies on the notion of a non-normalized cluster algebra and the machinery of tropical lambda lengths. The authors'model allows for an arbitrary choice of coefficients which translates into a choice of a family of integral laminations on the surface. It provides an intrinsic interpretation of cluster variables as renormalized lambda lengths of arcs on the surface. Exchange relations are written in terms of the shear coordinates of the laminations and are interpreted as generalized Ptolemy relations for lambda lengths. This approach gives alternative proofs for the main structural results from the authors'previous paper, removing unnecessary assumptions on the surface.

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Cluster algebras are combinatorially defined commutative algebras which were introduced by S. Fomin and A. Zelevinsky as a tool for studying the dual canonical basis of a quantized enveloping algebra and totally positive matrices. The aim of these notes is to give an introduction to cluster algebras which is accessible to graduate students or researchers interested in learning more about the field, while giving a taste of the wide connections between cluster algebras and other areas of mathematics. The approach taken emphasizes combinatorial and geometric aspects of cluster algebras. Cluster algebras of finite type are classified by the Dynkin diagrams, so a short introduction to reflection groups is given in order to describe this and the corresponding generalized associahedra. A discussion of cluster algebra periodicity, which has a close relationship with discrete integrable systems, is included. The book ends with a description of the cluster algebras of finite mutation type and the cluster structure of the homogeneous coordinate ring of the Grassmannian, both of which have a beautiful description in terms of combinatorial geometry.

Cluster algebras, introduced by Fomin and Zelevinsky in 2001, are commutative rings with unit and no zero divisors equipped with a distinguished family of generators (cluster variables) grouped in overlapping subsets (clusters) of the same cardinality (the rank of the cluster algebra) connected by exchange relations. Examples of cluster algebras include coordinate rings of many algebraic varieties that play a prominent role in representation theory, invariant theory, the study of total positivity, etc. The theory of cluster algebras has witnessed a spectacular growth, first and foremost due to the many links to a wide range of subjects including representation theory, discrete dynamical systems, Teichmüller theory, and commutative and non-commutative algebraic geometry. This book is the first devoted to cluster algebras. After presenting the necessary introductory material about Poisson geometry and Schubert varieties in the first two chapters, the authors introduce cluster algebras and prove their main properties in Chapter 3. This chapter can be viewed as a primer on the theory of cluster algebras. In the remaining chapters, the emphasis is made on geometric aspects of the cluster algebra theory, in particular on its relations to Poisson geometry and to the theory of integrable systems.