Some generalizations of Castelnuovo's lemma on zero-dimensional schemes (Q1340434)

There are two main parts of this paper. The unifying theme is that the algebraic structure of the canonical module \(\omega_R\) of the coordinate ring \(R\) of a zero-dimensional subscheme \(X\) of projective space determines whether or not \(X\) lies on a rational normal curve (resp. a rational normal scroll). In the first part, the author gives a nice extension of some results of \textit{D. Eisenbud} and \textit{J. Harris} [J. Algebr. Geom. 1, No. 1, 15-30 (1992; Zbl 0804.14002) and 31-59 (1992; Zbl 0798.14029)] on Castelnuovo's lemma. Given a zeroscheme \(X\) (not necessarily reduced) of degree \(\geq 2r + 2 + d\) in \(\mathbb{P}^r\) in uniform position, which imposes only \(2r + d\) conditions on quadrics, the author shows that there is a \(d\)-dimensional rational normal scroll containing \(X\). The case \(d = 1\) was done by Eisenbud and Harris, who used it to study ``nearly extremal'' curves with respect to Castelnuovo theory. They also showed that if deg \(X = r + 3\) then \(X\) lies on a unique rational normal curve. In the second half of the paper, the author examines the range \(r + 4 \leq \deg X \leq 2r + 2\), which is the range not covered in the results of Eisenbud and Harris mentioned above. He looks at the matrix corresponding to the multiplication \((\omega_R)_{-1} \otimes S_1 \to (\omega_R )_0\) (where \(S\) is the polynomial ring), and shows that this matrix is equivalent to the Hankel matrix if and only if \(X\) lies on a unique rational normal curve. He also gives some results on the graded Betti numbers of \(X\) in this case. The main tools used are some results of \textit{M. Kreuzer} on canonical modules [Can. J. Math. 46, No. 2, 357-379 (1994; Zbl 0826.14030)], and work of \textit{D. Eisenbud} [Am. J. Math. 110, No. 3, 541-575 (1988; Zbl 0681.14028)] on 1-generic matrices. The author has recently given a very nice generalization of his work under review here [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 105, No. 1, 107-116 (1995)].