Local cohomology, arrangements of subspaces and monomial ideals. (Q1869020)

Let \(R=k[x_1,\dots,x_n]\) be the polynomial ring over a field \(k\) and \(I\) be the ideal of \(R\), defining an arrangement \(X\) of linear subvarieties of the \(n\)-dimensional affine space \(V\). In contrast to the work of \textit{M. Goresky} and \textit{R. MacPherson} [``Stratified Morse theory'' (1988; Zbl 0639.14012); see also \textit{K. Jewell}, \textit{P. Orlik} and \textit{B. Z. Shapir}, Topology Appl. 56, No. 3, 215--233 (1994; Zbl 0797.55016)], the authors propose a purely algebraic description for the Betti numbers of the complement of \(X\) in \(V\), using the local cohomology modules \(H^i_I(R)=\text{ind}. \lim_j\text{Ext}^i_R(R/I^j,R)\). Namely, in the case \(\text{char}\,k=0\), a formula for the characteristic cycle \(CC(H^i_I (R))\) (as a module over the Weyl algebra \(A_n(k))\) is obtained and the Betti numbers in question can be computed (in the complex or real case) in terms of multiplicities of components of this cycle. Under the assumption that \(I\) is a monomial ideal, these multiplicities can be expressed as multigraded Betti numbers related to the ideal that is Alexander-dual to \(I\). Further, the category of slightly modified straight multigraded Yanagawa modules [\textit{K. Yanagawa}, Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 131, No. 1, 45--60 (2001; Zbl 1090.13013)] is studied (that contains the local cohomology modules) and it is finally described as a subcategory of the category of perverse sheaves [\textit{A. Galligo}, \textit{M. Granger} and \textit{Ph. Maisonobe}, Ann. Inst. Fourier 35, No. 1, 1--48 (1985; Zbl 0572.32012)].