Kähler differential algebras for 0-dimensional schemes (Q1703218)

This paper is dedicated to the use of Kähler differential algebras for the study of 0-dimensional subschemes of \({\mathbb P}^n_K = {\mathbb P}^n\), \(K\) being a field with char \(K = 0\). Let \(S=K[X_0,\ldots , X_n]\) and \(X\subset {\mathbb P}^n\) be a 0-dimensional scheme whose ideal is \(I_X\) and its graded coordinate ring is \(R_X = S/I_X\); let \(R_X\otimes R_X = \bigoplus_{i\geq 0}(\bigoplus_{j+k=i}(R_X)_j\otimes (R_X)_k)\) be its enveloping algebra and \(J\subset R_X\otimes R_X\) the kernel of \(\mu: R_X\otimes R_X \rightarrow R_X\), where \(\mu(f\otimes g) = fg\) (\(J\) is generated by \(\{x_i\otimes 1 - 1\otimes x_i\}\), \(i=0,\ldots,n\), where \(x_i\) is the image of \(X_i\) in \(R_X\)). Then \(\Omega^1_{R_X} = \frac{J}{J^2}\) is called the \textit{module of Kähler differential 1-forms}, while \(\Omega^m_{R_X} = \wedge ^m \Omega^1_{R_X}\) is called the \textit{module of Kähler differential \(m\)-forms}; eventually, the graded algebra \(\Omega_{R_X} = \bigoplus_{m\geq 0}\Omega^m_{R_X}\) is the \textit{Kähler differential algebra of} \(R_X\) (here \(\Omega^0_{R_X} = R_X\)). The following example shows how much the modules \(\Omega^m_{R_X}\) are related to the geometry of \(X\): let \(X,Y\subset {\mathbb P}^2\) be two reduced schemes made of six points and let \(X\) be contained in a smooth conic, while \(Y\) is made of three points on a line and other three points on a different line (six points on a degenerate conic). Then the Hilbert functions agree for \(R_X\) and \(R_Y\) and also for \(\Omega^1_{R_X}\) and \(\Omega^1_{R_Y}\), but \(\Omega^2_{R_X},\Omega^3_{R_X}\) have different Hilbert functions from \(\Omega^2_{R_Y},\Omega^3_{R_Y}\); hence the study of 2-forms and 3-forms can distinguish the two cases. In the paper, a few general bounds on Hilbert functions and regularity indeces of \(\Omega^m_{R_X}\) are found; more detailed results are given when \(X\) is a scheme of fat points (namely when \(X\) is in \({\mathbb P}^1\), or has support on a conic in \({\mathbb P}^2\), or for uniform fat points schemes).