Generation of modules and transcendence degree of zero-cycles (Q2854093)

Let \(R\) be a commutative Noetherian ring and \(M\) a finitely generated \(R\)-module. Let \(\mu(-)\) denote the function of the minimum number of generators. The Swan-Forester formula states that \(\mu(M)\leq \sup\{\mu(M_{\mathfrak{p}}+\dim(R/\mathfrak{p} ): \mathfrak{p}\in \mathrm{Supp}(M)\}\). In the case where \(R\) is an algebra over the field of real numbers, \(\mathbb{R}\), \textit{R. G. Swan} [Math. Z. 102, 318--322 (1967; Zbl 0156.27403)] constructed examples of projective modules \(M\), for any rank, such that in the above formula the equality holds. The Swan's proof depends on the fact that \(\mathbb{R}\) is not algebraically closed.NEWLINENEWLINEIn the paper under review, for any given rank \(r\), the author constructs examples of finitely generated projective module \(M\) of rank \(r\) over a regular \(\mathbb{C}\)-algebra such that \(\mu(M)=r+\dim(R)\). To do this, the author uses the methods of the theory of vector bundles on affine spaces and applies the Stiefel-Whitny classes. Finally by an application of the invariant of transcendental degree of zero-cycles defined in [\textit{S. Gorchinskiy} and \textit{V. Guletskii}, Cent. Eur. J. Math. 10, No. 2, 559--568 (2012; Zbl 1244.14006)] the problem is settled.