Factorial $P$- and $Q$-Schur functions represent equivariant quantum Schubert classes

Abstract

We find presentations by generators and relations for the equivariant quantum cohomology rings of the maximal isotropic Grassmannians of types B, C and D, and we find polynomial representatives for the Schubert classes in these rings. These representatives are given in terms of the same Pfaffian formulas which appear in the theory of factorial $P$- and $Q$-Schur functions. After specializing to equivariant cohomology, we interpret the resulting presentations and Pfaffian formulas in terms of Chern classes of tautological bundles.