Hypergeometric functions and rings generated by monomials (Q1325164)

The author studies generalized hypergeometric functions associated with a set of integral vectors \(d^{(1)}, \dots, d^{(N)}\in \mathbb{Z}^ n\) with span \(\mathbb{R}^ n\). Such functions were studied by \textit{I. M. Gel'fand}, \textit{A. V. Zelevinskij} and \textit{M. M. Kapranov} [Funct. Anal. Appl. 23, No. 2, 94-106 (1989); translation from Funkts. Anal. Prilozh. 23, No. 2, 12-26 (1989; Zbl 0787.33012); see also Sov. Math., Dokl. 37, No. 3, 678- 682 (1988); translation from Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 300, No. 3, 529-534 (1988; Zbl 0667.33010)] under the assumption that the vectors \(d^{(j)}= (d_ i^{(j)})\) satisfy the relation \(\sum_{i=1}^ n b_ i d_ i^{(j)} =1\) for some integers \(b_ i\). In the present paper, the last assumption was removed, and there is associated a holonomic system of partial differential equations in \(N\) variables. This includes the generalization of confluent hypergeometric functions. The author studies the characteristic variety and \({\mathcal D}\)-module structure of this system and proves that its rank equals a simple multiple of the volume of convex hull of the \(d^{(j)}\). This last statement is proved under the assumption either that certain rings are Cohen-Macaulay, or that the parameters are ``non-resonant''.