$SL_k$-Tilings and Paths in $\mathbb{Z}^k$

An $SL_k$-tiling is a bi-infinite array of integers having all adjacent $k\times k$ minors equal to one and all adjacent $(k+1)\times (k+1)$ minors equal to zero. Introduced and studied by Bergeron and Reutenauer, $SL_k$-tilings generalize the notion of Conway-Coxeter frieze patterns in the case $k=2$. In a recent paper, Short showed a bijection between bi-infinite paths of reduced rationals in the Farey graph and $SL_2$-tilings. We extend this result to higher $k$ by constructing a bijection between $SL_k$-tilings and certain pairs of bi-infinite strips of vectors in $\mathbb{Z}^k$ called paths. The key ingredient in the proof is the connection to Plücker friezes and Grassmannian cluster algebras. As an application, we obtain results about periodicity, duality, and positivity for tilings.