Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity of fibers and Bertini theorems (Q2068188)

Let \((R,\mathfrak{m},k)\) be a \(d\)-dimensional Noetherian local ring of prime characteristic \(p>0\), and let \(M\) be a finitely generated \(R\)-module. Let \(I \subseteq R\) be an \(\mathfrak{m}\)-primary ideal, denote by \(\ell\) the length as an \(R\)-module and by \(q = p^e\) a power of the characteristic. The limit \[ e_{HK}(I,M) :=\lim_{e \to 0}\ell(M/I^{[q]}M)/q^d\] exists and is called the Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity of \(M\) with respect to \(I\), see [\textit{P. Monsky}, Math. Ann. 263, 43--49 (1983; Zbl 0509.13023)] and [\textit{C. Huneke}, in: Commutative algebra. Expository papers dedicated to David Eisenbud on the occasion of his 65th birthday. New York, NY: Springer. 485--525 (2013; Zbl 1275.13012)] for a survey paper. If \(I = \mathfrak{m}\), \( e_{HK}(I,M)\) is usually denoted by \(e_{HK}(M)\). The goal of the present paper is a Bertini type theorem for the Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity. Let \(k\) be an algebraically closed field of characteristic \(p > 0\); the authors show that if \(X \subseteq \mathbb{P}_k^n\) is an equidimensional subscheme with Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity less than a fixed real number \(\lambda \geq 1\) at all points \(x \in X\), then for a general hyperplane \(H \subseteq \mathbb{P}_k^n\), the Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity of \(X \cap H\) is less than \(\lambda\) at all points \(x \in X \cap H\) . This theorem generalizes a result of \textit{J. Carvajal-Rojas} et al. [Math. Z. 299, No. 1--2, 1131--1153 (2021; Zbl 1476.13012)], who obtained a similar conclusion when \(X\subseteq \mathbb{P}_k^n\) is normal. A way to prove this main theorem is to employ an axiomatic framework developed by \textit{C. Cumino} et al. [J. Algebra 98, 171--182 (1986; Zbl 0613.14006)], which shows that if \(\mathcal P\) is a local property of locally Noetherian schemes that satisfies the following two axioms, and \(X\) is a subscheme of \(\mathbb{P}_k^n\) satisfying \(\mathcal P\), then a general hyperplane section of \(X\) also satisfies \(\mathcal P\): (AX1) Whenever \(\phi : Y \rightarrow Z\) is a flat morphism with regular fibers and \(Z\) is \(\mathcal P\), then \(Y\) is \(\mathcal P\). (AX2) Let \(\phi : Y \rightarrow S\) be a finite type morphism where \(Y\) is excellent and \(S\) is integral with generic point \(\eta\). If the generic fiber \(Y_{\eta}\) is geometrically \(\mathcal P\), then there exists an open neighborhood \(\eta\in U\subseteq S\) such that \(Y_s\) is \(\mathcal P\) for each \(s\in U\). The authors establish (AX1) and (AX2) for the following local property of a locally Noetherian scheme \(X\): \[\mathcal P_{HK,\lambda} :=e_{HK}(\mathcal O_{X,x})<\lambda\] for all \(x\in X\), and a fixed real number \(\lambda \geq 1\). That \(\mathcal P_{HK,\lambda}\) satisfies (AX1) is known by the work of \textit{E. Kunz} [Am. J. Math. 98, 999--1013 (1976; Zbl 0341.13009)]. To prove that \(\mathcal P_{HK,\lambda}\) satisfies (AX2), the authors do an investigation (interesting in its own right) on the uniform behavior of Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity of fibers of a finite type map, generalizing certain uniform estimates on Hilbert-Kunz multiplicities of fibers of maps obtained by the aforementioned authors Carvajal-Rojas, Schwede and Tucker.