On curves of \(\mathbb{P}^n\) with extremal Hartshorne-Rao module in positive degrees (Q5929287)

Extremal curves in \(\mathbb{P}^3\), i.e. locally, but not arithmetically, Cohen-Macaulay space curves achiving the upper bound for the Rao function, have been remarkably studied at least since early 1990's [see for instance \textit{M. Martin-Deschamps} and \textit{D. Perrin}, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Sér. I 317, 1159-1162 (1993; Zbl 0796.14029) and Ann. Sci. Éc. Norm. Supér., IV. Sér. 29, 757-1162 (1996; Zbl 0892.14005), and \textit{Ph. Ellia} [Boll. Unione Mat. Ital., VII. Ser., A 9, No. 3, 593-607 (1995; Zbl 0866.14020)]. A generalization in \(\mathbb{P}^n\) was given by \textit{N. Chiarli, S. Greco} and \textit{U. Nagel} [Math. Z. 229, 695-724 (1998; Zbl 0946.14018)], who obtained a sharp bound for the Rao function of the curves with non-degenerate general hyperplane section. In this paper the larger class of so-called quasi extremal curves is considered: namely curves in projective \(n\)-spaces with non-degenerate general hyperplane section that achieve the upper bound for the Rao function but only in non-negative degrees. The authors give the generic initial ideal of such curves, their minimal free resolution, a characterization in terms of intersection of suitable arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay curves of maximum genus and observe that, if \(n=3\), quasi extremal curves are extremal. Finally they completely determine all possible Rao functions (in negative degrees) of such curves.