Examples of finite free complexes of small rank and small homology (Q1623215)

In this paper under review, the authors construct counterexamples to five related conjectures concerning the rank and homology of finite free complexes over commutative noetherian rings, and, in particular, over group algebras of elementary abelian groups. Conjecture 1.1. Let \(k\) be a field of positive characteristic \(p\), let \(E\) be an elementary abelian \(p\)-group of rank \(r\) and let \(kE\) be the corresponding group algebra. If \(F\) is a bounded complex of free \(kE\)-modules of finite rank and \(H(F)\neq 0\), then \(\mathrm{rank}_kH(F)\geq 2^r\). \textit{G. Carlsson} [Ann. Math. Stud. 113, 332--344 (1987; Zbl 0701.55003)] proved Conjecture 1.1 when \(p=2\) and \(r\leq 3\). Conjecture 1.2. For \(R=k[t_1,\dots,t_d]\) over a field \(k\) on indeterminates \(t_1,\dots,t_d\) of upper degree \(2\), if \(F\) is a semifree \(DG\) \(R\)-module such that \(\mathrm{rank}_kH(F)\) is finite and non-zero, then \(\mathrm{rank}_R F\geq 2^d\). For \(d\leq 3\) Conjecture 1.2 has been proved by \textit{C. Allday} and \textit{V. Puppe} [Lect. Notes Math. 1217, 1--10 (1986; Zbl 0612.55014)]; see also [\textit{L. L. Avramov} et al., Invent. Math. 169, No. 1, 1--35 (2007; Zbl 1153.13010)]. Conjecture 1.3. If \(R\) is a local ring and \(F\) is a complex of free \(R\)-modules with \(\mathrm{length}_R H(F)\) finite and non-zero, then \(\mathrm{rank}_R F\geq 2^d\), where \(d\) is the Krull dimension of \(R\). For \(d\leq 3\) this was proved by Avramov et al. in [loc. cit.]. Conjecture 1.4. If \(R\) is a local ring and \(F\) is a differential \(R\)-module that admits a free flag and has the property that \(length_R H(F)\) is finite and non-zero, then \(\mathrm{rank}_R F\geq 2^d\), where \(d\) is the Krull dimension of \(R\). Conjecture 1.5. For any finitely generated module \(M\) of complexity \(c\geq 1\) over a complete intersection local ring \(R\), one has \({\beta-\deg} M>2^{c-1}\), where a positive real number \({\beta-\deg M}\) is the Betti degree of \(M\). \textit{L. L. Avramov} and \textit{R.-O. Buchweitz} [J. Algebra 230, No. 1, 24--67 (2000; Zbl 1011.13007)] proved this conjecture when \(c\leq 2\). Conjecture 1.5. For any finitely generated module \(M\) of complexity \(c\geq 1\) over a complete intersection local ring \(R\), one has \(\beta-\deg M>2^{c-1}\), where a positive real number \(\beta-\deg M\) is the Betti degree of \(M\). Avramov and Buchweitz in [loc. cit.] proved this conjecture when \(c\leq 2\).