The equality \(I^2=QI\) in Buchsbaum rings (Q2504904)

Summary: Let \(A\) be a noetherian local ring with the maximal ideal \(\mathfrak m\) and \(d=\dim A\). Let \(Q\) be a parameter ideal in \(A\). Let \(I=Q:\mathfrak m\). The problem of when the equality \(I^2=QI\) holds true is explored. When \(A\) is a Cohen-Macaulay ring, this problem was completely solved by \textit{A. Corso, C. Huneke, C. Polini}, and \textit{W. Vasconcelos} [Manuscr. Math. 95, No. 3, 331--347 (1998; Zbl 0902.13003); J. Algebra 178, No. 1, 224--238 (1995; Zbl 0848.13015); Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 115, No. 3, 431--436 (1994; Zbl 0811.13003)], while nothing is known when \(A\) is not a Cohen-Macaulay ring. The present purpose is to show that within a huge class of Buchsbaum local rings \(A\) the equality \(I^2=QI\) holds true for all parameter ideals \(Q\). The result will supply theorems of \textit{K. Yamagishi} [J. Algebra 225, No. 1, 1--27 (2000; see the preceding review Zbl 0982.13001); J. Algebra 251, 213--255 (2002; Zbl 1063.13018)], \textit{S. Goto} and \textit{K. Nishida} [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 181, No. 1, 61--74 (2003; Zbl 1089.13515)] with ample examples of ideals \(I\), for which the Rees algebras \(R(I)\), the associated graded rings \(G(I)\), and the fiber cones \(F(I)\) are all Buchsbaum rings with certain specific graded local cohomology modules. Two examples are explored. One is to show that \(I^2=QI\) may hold true for all parameter ideals \(Q\) in \(A\), even though \(A\) is not a generalized Cohen-Macaulay ring, and the other one is to show that the equality \(I^2=QI\) may fail to hold for some parameter ideal \(Q\) in \(A\), even though \(A\) is a Buchsbaum local ring with multiplicity at least three.