The Hilbert function of a maximal Cohen-Macaulay module. II. (Q2249251)

Let \((A,\mathfrak m)\) be a local complete intersection ring of positive dimension and \(M\) a maximal Cohen-Macaulay (MCM) module over \(A\). The author considers the monotone increasing property of Hilbert function of \(A\) and more generally of \(M\). It is an interesting problem and still open in general. In an earlier paper [Math. Z. 251, No. 3, 551--573 (2005; Zbl 1158.13306)], the author proved that over a hypersurface ring, the Hilbert function of a MCM module is non-decreasing. A direct generalization of this result for higher codimension complete intersection rings is not correct. Even if \(A\) is a strict complete intersection, i.e. the associated graded ring is also complete intersection, there still exists a MCM module whose Hilbert function is not monotone. The author then restricts to the case of MCM modules with bounded Betti numbers. Over complete intersection rings, the later condition implies that the syzygies of the module are periodic by a result of \textit{D. Eisenbud} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 260, 35--64 (1980; Zbl 0444.13006)]. One should also note that boundedness of Betti numbers means the complexity of the module is at most one. In this case, the author shows that the Hilbert function of such a MCM module is monotone either when \(A\) is a strict complete intersection, or when \(A\) is a codimension two complete intersection. The proof used the notion of virtual projective dimension and its relation to the notion of complexity studied in [\textit{L. L. Avramov}, Invent. Math. 96, No. 1, 71--101 (1989; Zbl 0677.13004)]. The author also uses the notion of Eisenbud operators to bring the problem to the study modules over polynomial rings over these operators.