Laurent coefficients and Ext of finite graded modules (Q1359537)

Let \(M\) and \(N\) be finite graded modules over a graded commutative ring generated over a field \(K=R_0\) by homogeneous elements \(x_1, \dots, x_e\) of positive degrees \(d_1, \dots, d_e\). By the Hilbert-Serre theorem, the Hilbert series \(\sum_{n\in \mathbb{Z}} (\text{rank}_K M_n)t^n\) is the Laurent expansion around \(t=0\) of a rational function \(H_M(t)= q_M(t)/ \prod^e_{i=1} (1-t^{d_i})\) with \(q_M(t) \in\mathbb{Z} [t,t^{-1}]\). The main result in this paper establishes an equality of rational functions \[ \sum_i(-1)^i H_{\text{Ext}^i_R (M,N)} (t) = {H_M(t^{-1}) \cdot H_N(t) \over H_R(t^{-1})} \] when \(\text{Ext}^i_R (M,N)=0\) for \(i\gg 0\). No finiteness assumption is imposed on the resolution of either module. Two applications are given. The first produces nontrivial lower bounds for the Bass numbers of a finite graded module of finite injective dimension over a graded algebra generated by elements of degree 1. The second relates the coefficients of the Laurent expansions of \(H_M(t)\) and \(H_N(t)\) around \(t=1\) to certain alternating sums of Laurent coefficients of their Ext modules. Among the formulas which arise in this way is one recently discovered by \textit{D. J. Benson} and \textit{W. W. Crawley-Boevey} [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 27, No. 5, 435-440 (1995; Zbl 0860.13010)].