Hilbert-Kunz functions of cubic curves and surfaces (Q1376338)

Let \(S= k[x_0,\ldots,x_n]\) be the polynomial ring in \(n+1\) variables over a field of characteristic \(p.\) For a finitely generated graded \(S\)-module \(M\) the Hilbert-Kunz function is defined on powers of the characteristic, \(q = p^n\), \(n \in \mathbb N,\) by \(HK_M(q)= \dim_k M/m^{[q]}M,\) where \(m^{[q]} = (x_0^q, \ldots, x_n^q)\) denotes the \(q\)-th Frobenius power of the maximal ideal \(m = (x_0, \ldots, x_n).\) It follows from a paper by \textit{P. Monsky} [Math. Ann. 263, 43-49 (1983; Zbl 0509.13023)] that \(HK_M(q) = cq^m +O(q^{m-1})\) with \(c\geq 1\) some real number and \(m = \dim M,\) the Krull dimension of \(M.\) The number \(c\) is called the Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity of \(M.\) In general, it seems very difficult to determine these functions explicitly and a conceptual interpretation of \(c\) is missing. In the paper under review the authors study the case of \(n = 2\) and \(M = S/fS,\) where \(f\) corresponds to an irreducible cubic curve \(C\) in \(\mathbb P^2.\) They exhibit the Hilbert-Kunz function of plane elliptic curves of odd characteristic and of plane nodal cubics. In fact, they confirm the formulas conjectured by \textit{K. Pardue} [``Nonstandard Borel-fixed ideals'', Doctoral thesis (Brandeis University 1994)], where he also determined the Hilbert-Kunz function of reducible cubics. The remaining case of an elliptic curve \(C\) and \(p=2\) was solved by \textit{P. Monsky} [see J. Algebra 197, No. 1, 268-277 (1997; see the following review)]. In the case of a plane nodal cubic the authors use techniques from minimal free resolutions and Veronese embeddings. For \(C\) a plane elliptic curve in odd characteristic their proof is based on an unexpected use of a formula of Geronimus for the determinant of a certain matrix whose entries are Legendre polynomials. As a corollary of their work the authors show that for any \(d\geq 2\) and any field \(k\) of prime characteristic there exists a plane curve of degree \(d\) in \(\mathbb P^2\) whose Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity is \(3d/4\) -- and this is the minimal possible value for such curves. In particular, the minimal Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity is rational and independent of the characteristic. Then the authors determine explicitly the Hilbert-Kunz function of Cayley's cubic surface in \(\mathbb P^3.\) There are similar conclusions about minimal Hilbert-Kunz multiplicities of surfaces of degree \(d\) in \(\mathbb P^4\) as shown in the case of curves. In higher dimensions it follows from the work by \textit{C. Han} and \textit{P. Monsky} [in: Math. Z. 214, No. 1, 119-135 (1993; Zbl 0788.13008)] that the minimal Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity depends upon the characteristic. For further results see also \textit{L. Chiang} and \textit{Y.-C. Hung} [J. Algebra 199, No. 2, 499-527 (1998; see the review after next)].