Primary ideals with good associated graded ring (Q1963992)

Let \((A,{\mathcal M})\) be a local Cohen-Macaulay ring of dimension \(d>0\), let \(I\) be an \({\mathcal M}\)-primary ideal of \(A\), \(J\) be the ideal generated by a maximal superficial sequence for \(I\), and let \(G\) be the associated graded ring of \(I\). For a natural number \(k\), the ideal \(I\) is said to be \(k\)-standard if \(I^n\cap J=JI^{n-1}\) for all \(n\leq k\). \textit{P. Valabrega} and \textit{G. Valla} [Nagoya Math. J. 72, 93-101 (1978; Zbl 0362.13007)] proved that \(G\) is Cohen-Macaulay if and only if \(I\) is \(k\)-standard for each \(k\). This paper considers the class of \({\mathcal M}\)-primary ideals \(I\) such that \(I\) is \(k\)-standard for some \(k\) and \(\lambda(I^{k+1}/JI^k)\leq 1\). While in this case \(G\) may not be Cohen-Macaulay, it is shown that \(\text{depth} (G)\geq d-1\) and the Hilbert polynomial for \(I\) is found. Moreover, \(G\) is Cohen-Macaulay unless the ideal \(I\) is of maximal Cohen-Macaulay type.