A graph-theoretical characterization of the order complexes on the 2- sphere (Q1113918)

A simplicial complex \(\Delta\) may be related in a natural way to a quotient ring of polynomials, named the Stanley-Reisner ring of the complex. \(\Delta\) is called a Cohen-Macaulay (Gorenstein) complex if the corresponding Stanley-Reisner ring is so. Moreover, a poset P is Cohen- Macaulay (Gorenstein) if the associated order complex \(\Delta\) (P) is. An equivalent condition for a complex \(\Delta\) to be Cohen-Macaulay is stated in homological terms in a theorem due to Reisner; this condition is satisfied if \(\Delta\) is the triangulation of a sphere. The main result of the paper characterizes those order complexes \(\Delta\) (P) which admit a 2-sphere realization. Some diagrams and figures are used to explain a sketch of the proofs. The result is related to certain previous results of the same authors, belonging to this area.