Gröbner bases of certain determinantal ideals (Q1567466)

Let \(\mu = (\mu_1,\ldots,\mu_k)\) be a strictly increasing sequence of integers with \(\mu_1 \in \{0,1\}\). Consider the set \(X_{n,\mu}\) of all points \((x_1,\ldots,x_n) \in F^n\), with \(n \geq k\) and \(F\) an algebraically closed field of characteristic~0, such that the matrix \((x_i^{\mu_j})\) has rank less than~\(k\). Clearly \(X_{n,\mu}\) is the variety given by the \(k \times k\) minors of the matrix \((x_i^{\mu_j})\). The author proves that the ideal \(I_{n,\mu}\) of polynomials vanishing on \(X_{n,\mu}\) is actually generated by these minors. In fact, he shows that the minors form a universal Gröbner basis for \(I_{n,\mu}\), i.e., a Gröbner basis with respect to any monomial ordering on \(F[x_1,\ldots,x_n]\). The proof uses the concept of critical ideals. A homogeneous ideal \(I\) in a polynomial ring is said to be critical if any homogeneous ideal \(I'\) strictly containing \(I\) is of dimension or degree strictly less than the corresponding number of \(I\). It is shown that the initial ideal of the \(k \times k\) minors is critical, and that it has the same dimension and degree as the initial ideal of \(I_{n,\mu}\). In the final section of the paper the author points out some connections to hyperplane arrangements given by irreducible pseudo-reflection groups. The paper is clearly written and contains many interesting ideas.