Layer lengths, torsion theories and the finitistic dimension (Q2392098)

Let \(\Lambda\) be a left Artinian ring. The finitistic dimension of \(\Lambda\) is defined as the supremum of the projective dimensions of finitely generated left \(\Lambda\)-modules with finite projective dimension. It was conjectured by H. Bass in the 60s that the finitistic dimension is always finite. In their earlier work in [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 41, No. 2, 367--376 (2009; Zbl 1195.16009)], the authors introduced the notion of infinite-layer length and showed that any Artin algebra, having infinite-layer length at most three, has finite finitistic dimension. Motivated by this approach, in this paper the authors develop a more general theory of layer lengths of objects in a length-category \(\mathcal C\) (recall that a category \(\mathcal C\) is a length-category if \(\mathcal C\) is abelian, skeletally small and every object of \(\mathcal C\) has a finite composition series). Such layer lengths generalize the classical Loewy length by replacing the identity functor of \(\mathcal C\) by an arbitrary additive endo-functor of \(\mathcal C\). Using their theory of layer lengths, combined with Igusa-Todorov function, the authors obtain generalizations of the main result of their paper mentioned above, and also a theorem of \textit{Y. Wang} [Commun. Algebra 22, No. 7, 2525--2528 (1994; Zbl 0804.16006)].