On degenerations of Cohen-Macaulay modules (Q1604388)

A theorem of M. Auslander states that the isomorphism class of a finitely generated module \(M\) over a finite dimensional algebra \(A\) over a field is determined by the lengths of \(\Hom_A(M,N)\), where \(N\) runs through the finitely generated \(A\)-modules. A proof that makes no use of Auslander-Reiten sequences was given by \textit{K. Bongartz} [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 21, No. 3, 255-256 (1989; Zbl 0669.16018)]. Furthermore, \textit{K. Bongartz} has observed that there is a close relationship to degeneration of modules [Adv. Math. 121, No. 2, 245-287 (1996; Zbl 0862.16007)]. In the present article, these ideas are extended to maximal Cohen-Macaulay modules over a representation-finite complete local Cohen-Macaulay ring \(R\). For \(M,N\in R\text{-}\mathbf{CM}\), a relation \(M\leq_{\hom}N\) is introduced which says that \(l(\Hom_R(M,Y))\leq l(\Hom_R(N,Y))\) holds for all \(Y\) of finite length. By an extension of Auslander's theorem, this gives a partial ordering on the isomorphism classes in \(R\text{-}\mathbf{CM}\). If \(M\) degenerates to \(N\) (via a flat family of modules over \(\mathbb{A}^1\)), then \(M\leq_{\hom}N\). As \(R\) is representation-finite, the structure of \(R\text{-}\mathbf{CM}\) is essentially determined by the Auslander-Reiten quiver. Therefore, the author defines a stronger partial order \(M\leq_{\text{AR}}N\) generated inductively by Auslander-Reiten sequences \(\tau X\rightarrowtail M\twoheadrightarrow X\) with \(N=X\oplus\tau X\) and the relations \(M\oplus L\leq_{\text{AR}}N\oplus L\) and \(M^n\leq_{\text{AR}}N^n\). Using a property of Cohen-Macaulay approximations, he proves that for maximal Cohen-Macaulay modules \(M,N\) of equal rank, \(M\leq_{\hom}N\) implies \(M\leq_{\text{AR}}N\) whenever \(R\) is either two-dimensional or a one-dimensional domain. Consequently, the relations \(M\leq_{\hom}N\) and \(M\leq_{\text{AR}}N\), and `\(M\) degenerates to \(N\)' are all equivalent in that case. The author conjectures that the equivalence of the three relations holds without restriction on the dimension of \(R\).