Some Relational Structures with Polynomial Growth and their Associated Algebras I: Quasi-Polynomiality of the Profile

The profile of a relational structure R is the function φR which counts for every integer n the number φR(n), possibly infinite, of substructures of R induced on the n-element subsets, isomorphic substructures being identified. If φR takes only finite values, this is the Hilbert function of a graded algebra associated with R, the age algebra KA(R), introduced by P. J. Cameron. In this paper we give a closer look at this association, particularly when the relational structure R admits a finite monomorphic decomposition. This setting still encompass well-studied graded commutative algebras like invariant rings of finite permutation groups, or the rings of quasi-symmetric polynomials. We prove that φR is eventually a quasi-polynomial, this supporting the conjecture that, under mild assumptions on R, φR is eventually a quasi-polynomial when it is bounded by some polynomial.