On solvability of the automorphism group of a finite-dimensional algebra (Q2253025)

A weak form of Halperin's conjecture states that the identity component of the automorphism group of a zero-dimensional complete intersection \(S=\mathbb C[x_1,\dots,x_n]/(f_1,\dots,f_n)\) is solvable. The local case follows by a solvability criterion of \textit{M. Schulze} [J. Algebra 323, No. 10, 2916--2921 (2010; Zbl 1204.17014)]. If \(S=\mathbb C[[x_1,\dots,x_n]]/I\) with \(I\subset\mathfrak m^\ell\), where \(\mathfrak m\) denotes the maximal ideal of the power series ring, the criterion states that the Lie algebra \(\mathrm{Der}(S)\) is solvable if \(I\) can be generated by less than \(n+\ell-1\) elements. Thus, if \(S\) is a complete intersection, then \(\dim(I/\mathfrak m I)=n\), which proves the local form of Halperin's conjecture. The global version follows immediately by decomposition of \(S\) into its local components. An important special case is given by the moduli algebra \[ A(X)=\mathbb C[x_1,\dots,x_n]/(f,J(f)) \] of a hypersurface singularity \(X=V(f)\), where \(J(f)\) denotes the Jacobian ideal, the ideal generated by the partial derivatives of \(f\). The Lie algebra \(L(X)=\mathrm{Der}(A(X))\) is called the Yau algebra of \(X\). Using \textit{G. R. Kempf}'s result [Invent. Math. 112, No. 2, 315--321 (1993; Zbl 0791.32002)] for \(f\in\mathfrak m^3\), Schulze's criterion implies Yau's theorem that the Lie algebra \(L(X)\) is solvable. The paper under review studies the extreme case \(\dim(I/\mathfrak m I)=n+\ell-1\). Using Schulze's criterion, a direct proof of Yau's solvability theorem, without reference to Kempf's result, is obtained.