Cohen-Macaulayness of modules of covariants (Q1191371)

Here are considered modules of covariants \(R^ G\) with respect to a reductive algebraic group over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero and an irreducible character \(\chi\). There are described sufficient conditions for \(R^ G_ \chi\) to be Cohen- Macaulay. The existence of a \(G\)-stable point is assumed and a Cohen- Macaulay criterion is applied previously obtained by the author [J. Am. Math. Soc. 2, No. 4, 775-799 (1989; Zbl 0697.20025)]. It is also described a criterion for criticality of irreducible characters. There are developed many elaborated techniques of algebraic topology. They include a review of algebraic De Rham cohomology, an extension of the classical stratification and the construction of a spectral sequence. The author relates his interesting results with a conjecture of \textit{R. P. Stanley} [cf. Relations between combinatorics and other parts of mathematics, Proc. Symp. Pure Math. 34, 345-355 (1979; Zbl 0411.22006)].