Almost free modules and Mittag-Leffler conditions. (Q411645)

Let \(R\) be a ring. \textit{P. Rothmaler} [Habilitationsschrift, Kiel (1994)] introduced the notion of Mittag-Leffler module relative to a class of left \(R\)-modules \(\mathcal Q\). A right \(R\)-module \(M\) is called \(\mathcal Q\)-Mittag-Leffler if the canonical morphism \(M\otimes_R\prod_{i\in I}X_i\to\prod_{i\in I}M\otimes_RX_i\) is monic for any family of left \(R\)-modules \(\{X_i\mid i\in I\}\) from \(\mathcal Q\). It is shown that a right \(R\)-module \(M\) is \(\mathcal Q\)-Mittag-Leffler if and only if it has an \(\aleph_1\)-dense system, i.e. a directed family of submodules closed under unions of countable ascending chains and such that any countable subset of \(M\) is contained in an element of the system, of \(\mathcal Q\)-Mittag-Leffler modules. In particular, flat Mittag-Leffler modules are characterized as modules having an \(\aleph_1\)-system of projective modules, i.e. \(\aleph_1\)-projective. Next, the authors consider strict Mittag-Leffler modules. Some properties of this class of modules are given and its relation with separability is studied. In Section 4, the characterization of rings with the property that the class of flat \(\mathcal Q\)-Mittag-Leffler modules is closed under product is obtained. The last part of the paper is devoted to show that the class of flat Mittag-Leffler modules is not suitable to contruct a Quillen model category on the category of all chain complexes of quasi-coherent sheaves on a scheme. This question is reduced to consider the deconstructibility, in the sense of \textit{P. C. Eklof} [Publ. Mat., Barc. 52, No. 1, 3-18 (2008; Zbl 1147.16001)], of the class of flat Mittag-Leffler modules. This condition is only satisfied when the ring is perfect.