Relations on pfaffians. I: Plethysm formulas (Q1191309)

Let \(R\) be a commutative ring with unity, and fix integers \(n\geq 2\), \(t\geq 1\) such that \(2t\leq n\). Denote by \(P f_{2t}\) the ideal generated by the \(2t\)-order pfaffians of the generic \(n\) by \(n\) antisymmetric matrix in the polynomial ring over \(R\) in \(n(n-1)/2\) variables. Minimal free resolutions of \(P f_{2t}\) have been already constructed in the following cases: \(R\) contains the rationals \(\mathbb{Q}\) [\textit{T. Józefiak} and \textit{P. Pragacz}, C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. A 287, 89-91 (1978; Zbl 0396.14005)]; \(t=1\); \(n=2t\) (trivial cases); \(n=2t+1\) [\textit{D. A. Buchsbaum} and \textit{D. Eisenbud}, Am. J. Math. 99, 447-485 (1977; Zbl 0373.13006)], and \(n=2t+2\) [\textit{P. Pragacz}, J. Algebra 78, 386-396 (1982; Zbl 0501.13005)]. In all of these cases, the module of relations between the pfaffians is generated by relations of degree 1. In this paper, the author proves that the usual minimal generating set of \(P f_{2t}\) is a Gröbner basis, for any field \(R\). He derives that: (1) The module of relations between the \(2t\)-order pfaffians is generated by relations of degree at most \(t\); (2) If \(R\) is a field of characteristic \(p\) \((p\)= infinity if \(R\) contains \(\mathbb{Q})\) then the module of relations between the \(2t\)-order pfaffians is generated by relations of degree 1 when \(2p>n-2t\). As a consequence, the same happens over any ring \(R\) when \(n\leq 2t+3\).