On support varieties and tensor products for finite dimensional algebras (Q2285230)

\textit{J. F. Carlson} [Lect. Notes Math. 882, 415--422 (1981; Zbl 0489.20008); J. Algebra 85, 104--143 (1983; Zbl 0526.20040)] introduced cohomological support varieties of modules over group algebras of finite groups by using the maximal ideal spectrum of the group cohomology ring. It was shown in [\textit{G. S. Avrunin} and \textit{L. L. Scott}, Invent. Math. 66, 277--286 (1982; Zbl 0489.20042)] that the variety of a tensor product of modules equals the intersection of those of the modules (\textit{tensor product property}). A theory of support varieties for arbitrary finite-dimensional algebras $A$ was developed by using Hochschild cohomology rings [\textit{Ø. Solberg}, Contemp. Math. 406, 239--270 (2006; Zbl 1115.16007); \textit{N. Snashall} and \textit{Ø. Solberg}, Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 88, No. 3, 705--732 (2004; Zbl 1067.16010); \textit{K. Erdmann} et al., \(K\)-Theory 33, No. 1, 67--87 (2004; Zbl 1116.16007)]. Although there is in general no natural tensor product between one-sided modules, one can tensor any left $A$-module with a bimodule. It has therefore been asked whether we have an equality \[ V(B\otimes_{A}M) = V(B) \cap V(M) \] for a bimodule $B$ and a left $A$-module with a finite-dimensional algebra $A$. The main result of this paper (Theorem 2.2) is that when $A$ is a quantum complete intersection of a certain type, then there exists a left $A$-module $M$ and a bimodule $B$ with \[ V(B\otimes_{A}M) \nsubseteq V(M) \] meaning that the tensor product property never holds in general, whatever bimodule version of support variety theory one uses.