The free cover of a row contraction (Q1875715)

Summary: We establish the existence and uniqueness of finite free resolutions -- and their attendant Betti numbers -- for graded commuting \(d\)-tuples of Hilbert space operators. Our approach is based on the notion of free cover of a (perhaps noncommutative) row contraction. Free covers provide a flexible replacement for minimal dilations that is better suited for higher-dimensional operator theory. For example, every graded \(d\)-contraction that is finitely multi-cyclic has a unique free cover of finite type -- whose kernel is a Hilbert module inheriting the same properties. This contrasts sharply with what can be achieved by way of dilation theory.