The absolute order on the hyperoctahedral group

The absolute order on the hyperoctahedral group B n is investigated. Using a poset fiber theorem, it is proved that the order ideal of this poset generated by the Coxeter elements is homotopy Cohen–Macaulay. This method results in a new proof of Cohen–Macaulayness of the absolute order on the symmetric group. Moreover, it is shown that every closed interval in the absolute order on B n is shellable and an example of a non-Cohen–Macaulay interval in the absolute order on D 4 is given. Finally, the closed intervals in the absolute order on B n and D n which are lattices are characterized and some of their important enumerative invariants are computed.