Gorenstein algebras presented by quadrics (Q1956284)

Let \(R=k[x_1,\dots,x_r]\), for a field \(k\), and let \(A/I\) be a standard graded artinian Gorestein algebra. Assume \(I_1=\{0\}\) and consider the following two properties: 1) \(I\) is generated in degree 2 (\(A\) is ``presented by quadrics''); 2) \(I\) contains a regular sequence of \(r\) quadrics, but possibly also generators in degree \(\geq 3\). In this paper it is studied how the above conditions on \(A\) can determine its Hilbert function. Since \(A\) is artinian, the data of its Hilbert function coincides with its \textit{h-vector} \( h= (1,r,h_2,\dots,h_{e-1}=r,h_e=1)\), where \(e\) is the socle degree of \(A\). One of the first facts to be noticed is that \(e=r\) if and only if \(I\) is a complete intersection of \(r\) quadrics (and in this case its Hilbert function is completely determined), otherwise \(e<r\), and it is shown that for all \(e\)'s, \(2\leq e \leq r\), there exist Artinian Gorenstein algebras of codimension \(r\) and socle degree \(e\) which are presented by quadrics. One of the main results in the paper is that when \(r\geq 5\), \(I\) is as in 2), and \(e=r-1\), then \(h_2\in \{{r\choose 2}-2, {r\choose 2}-1, {r\choose 2}\}\) (all possibilities occur). Moreover, \(h_2={r\choose 2}-2\) if and only if \(I\) is presented by quadrics, and in this case all the Hilbert function is uniquely determined, while in other cases (\(r\geq 7\))there are more possible Hilbert functions. When \(r\leq 5\), instead, there is only one possible \(h\)-vector when \(A/I\) is presented by quadrics. In the second part of the paper the ``Injectivity Conjecture'' is explored; namely, for a general \(L\in R_1\), it is conjectured that the multiplication map: \(\times L: A_1\rightarrow A_2\) is injective when \(A\) is presented by quadrics and \(e\geq 3\). Several results on this line of thought are proved. Liaison theory and generic initial ideals are among the main techniques to be used.