The ideal generation problem for fat points (Q1963983)

Let \(k\) be an algebraically closed field and \(I=I(m_1p_1+ \cdots+ m_rp_r)\) the homogeneous ideal of \(R=k[x_0, x_1,x_2]\) generated by the forms vanishing of order at least \(m_i\) at \(p_i\), \(i=1, \dots,r\), where \(p_1,\dots,p_r\) are general points of \(\mathbb{P}^2\). This paper is concerned with the problem of determining the graded Betti number of the minimal free resolution of \(I\) over \(R\). If one knows the Hilbert function of \(I\) -- and there are conjectures about this Hilbert function formulated by the author [\textit{B. Harbourne} in: Algebraic geometry, Proc. Conf., Vancouver 1984, CMS Conf. Proc. 6, 95-111 (1986; Zbl 0611.14002)] and by \textit{A. Hirschowitz} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 397, 208-213 (1989; Zbl 0686.14013)] -- then the determination of these Betti numbers reduces to the computation of the ranks of the multiplication maps: \(I_t\otimes R_1\to I_{t+1}\). In contrast to what happens in the case of smooth points (i.e., \(m_1= \cdots =m_r=1)\) these multiplication maps are not necessarily of maximal rank. The author is mainly concerned with the uniform case \(m_1=\cdots =m_r=m\). His approach is to work on the rational surface \(X\) obtained by blowing-up the points \(p_1,\dots, p_r\) of \(\mathbb{P}^2\). Let \(E_i\) be the exceptional divisor of the blow-up of \(p_i\) and \(E_0\) the pullback of a line in \(\mathbb{P}^2\). The author assumes the following conjecture, formulated in the above mentioned papers: If \(p_1, \dots, p_r\) are general then every prime divisor on \(X\) of negative self-intersection is an exceptional curve and for every divisor \(D\) on \(X\) which is effective or numerically effective one has \(H^1(X,D)=0\). Then one of the main results of the paper is the following one: Assume \(r\geq 10\) and let \(a=\min \{t\mid I_t \neq 0\}\) and \(D=aE_0- mE_1-\cdots -mE_r\). Then the above multiplication maps have maximal rank unless \(H^0 (X,D- (E_0-E_1))=0\) and \(H^0(X,D-E_1)\neq 0\). The author conjectures that for \(r\geq 10\) and in the uniform case the above multiplication maps have always maximal rank.