The Gotzmann coefficients of Hilbert functions (Q1028308)

A long series of papers has studied the geometric information that can be obtained from the Hilbert function of a standard graded algebra, especially one arising as the coordinate ring of a subscheme of projective space. A central role here is played by Macaulay's theorem [which appeared in 1927!, cf. Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (2) 26, 531--555 (1927; JFM 53.0104.01)], which gives a bound on the growth of the Hilbert function from any degree to the next. A much more modern result, which recently is seeing a surge of applications, is \textit{M. Green}'s Restriction Theorem [Lect. Notes Math. 1389, 76--86 (1989; Zbl 0717.14002)]. This gives bounds on the value of the Hilbert function when restricting modulo a general linear form. A number of papers recently have applied Green's result to the study of Artinian level algebras, especially Artinian Gorenstein algebras. The paper under review instead studies geometric consequences of equality in Green's theorem. The paper begins with an analysis of the \(d\)-binomial expansion of the degree \(d\) value of the Hilbert function, extracting certain natural invariants from this expansion. The connections and extensions of work of Gotzmann are explored. As a result, the authors obtain results restricting the Hilbert function of reduced equidimensional schemes, and the Hilbert function of a finite set of points in projective space with the Uniform Position Property. Both of these are important open problems.