An extension of a depth inequality of Auslander (Q2083240)

Let \(R\) be a ring, \(M\) be an \(R\)-module and \(n\) be a positive integer. We denote by \(\Omega^n_RM\) the image of the \(n\)th differential map in a minimal free resolution of \(M\). And an \(R\)-module \(M\) is called \textit{\(n\)-Tor-rigid} if \(\mathrm{Tor}_i^R(M,N)=0\) for \(i=t+1,\ldots,t+n\) implies \(\mathrm{Tor}_j^R(M,N)=0\) for all \(j>t\) (\(M\) is said to be Tor-rigid if it is \(1\)-Tor-rigid.). \textit{M. Auslander} [Illinois J. Math. 5, 631--647 (1961; Zbl 0104.26202)] proved that if \(\mathfrak{a}\) is an ideal of a local ring \(R\) and \(M\) is a non-zero Tor-rigid \(R\)-module, then \(\mathrm{depth}_R(\mathfrak{a}, M)\leq \mathrm{depth}_R(\mathfrak{a}, R)\). In the paper under review, pursuing the Auslander's result, the authors ask the following question and give an affirmative answer, in the case \(n=1\), under some mild conditions. \textbf{Question}. Let \(\mathfrak{a}\) be an ideal of a local ring \(R\) and \(M\) be a non-zero \(R\)-module. Assume \(M\cong\Omega^n_RN\) for some \(n\geq0\) and some \(R\)-module \(N\) which is \((n + 1)\)-Tor-rigid. Then does it follow that \(\mathrm{depth}_R(\mathfrak{a}, M)\leq \mathrm{depth}_R(\mathfrak{a}, R)+n\)? Furthermore, in the appendix, they determine new classes of Tor-rigid modules over hypersurfaces that are quotient of unramifed regular local rings.