Cohen-Macaulay types of Cohen-Macaulay complexes (Q1335096)

Let \(\Delta\) be a simplicial complex on a vertex set \(\{x_ 1,x_ 2,\dots, x_ n\}\). Let \(K\) be a field and \(I_ \Delta\) be the ideal of \(K[x_ 1, x_ 2,\dots, x_ n]\) generated by the square-free monomials \(x_{i_ 1} x_{i_ 2}\cdots x_{i_ m}\) such that \(\{x_{i_ 1}, x_{i_ 2},\dots, x_{i_ m}\}\not\in \Delta\). The ring \(K[\Delta]:= K[x_ 1, x_ 2,\dots, x_ n]/I_ \Delta\) is called the Stanley- Reisner ring of \(\Delta\) over \(K\). If \(K[\Delta]\) is the Cohen-Macaulay ring, the complex \(\Delta\) is called Cohen-Macaulay (or C-M-complex). The Cohen-Macaulay type, \(\text{type}(K[\Delta])\), is the minimal number of generators of the canonical module of \(K[\Delta]\). This invariant gives a refined classification of C-M-complexes. For example, complexes \(\Delta\) with \(\text{type}(K[\Delta])= 1\) are called Gorenstein, and the Dehn- Sommerville equations hold for them [see \textit{R. P. Stanley}: Combinatorics and commutative algebra (Prog. Math. 41) (1983: Zbl 0537.13009)]. Previously [Pac. J. Math. 154, 253-264 (1992; Zbl 0784.05020)], the author has found a combinatorial formula to compute the type of distributive lattices. Here a similar formula is presented for a class of C-M-complexes called ``superior''. For example, for a poset \(P\) write \(\Delta(P)\) for the set of chains of \(P\). Then \(\Delta(P)\) is a simplicial complex on the vertex set \(P\), called the order complex of \(P\). If \(P\cup \{\widehat 0,\widehat 1\}\) is a modular lattice, then the complex \(\Delta(P)\) is superior.