Free \((\mathbb{Z} / p)^n\)-complexes and \(p\)-DG modules (Q2204840)

Let \(p\) be a prime, \(G = (\mathbb{Z}/p)^n\) an elementary abelian \(p\)-group of rank \(n\), and \(\mathbb{F}_p[G]\) the corresponding group ring over the prime field \(\mathbb{F}_p\). The following \newline \textbf{Conjecture.} Let \(C\) be a non-acyclic perfect chain complex of \(\mathbb{F}_p[G]\)-modules. Then \(\sum_i\dim_{\mathbb{F}_p} H^i(C)\ge 2^n\). \newline arises as an algebraic version of Carlsson's conjecture in equivariant topology [\textit{G. Carlsson}, Ann. Math. Stud. 113, 332--344 (1987; Zbl 0701.55003)]. \par The authors reformulate the problem of bounding the total rank of the homology of perfect chain complexes over the group ring \(\mathbb{F}_p[G]\) in terms of commutative algebra. This extends results of \textit{G. Carlsson} [Invent. Math. 74, 139--147 (1983; Zbl 0526.57024)] for \(p = 2\) to all primes. As an intermediate step, an embedding of the derived category of perfect chain complexes over \(\mathbb{F}_p[G]\) into the derived category of \(p\)-DG modules over a polynomial ring is constructed.