Initial algebras of Pfaffian rings (Q357868)

Let \(X= (X_{ij})\) be an \(n\times n\) skew-symmetric matrix of indeterminates over a field \(K\). Consider the submatrix of \(X\) with rows and columns indexed by \(a_1,\dots, a_t\), \(1\leq a_1<\cdots< a_t\leq n\). Its determinant (vanishes if \(t\) is odd and) is a square of an element \(\text{Pf}(a_1,\dots, a_t)\in K[X]\), the Pfaffian of size \(t\) related to \(a_1,\dots, a_t\). The set \(\text{Pf}(X)\) of all Pfaffians of even size is equipped with a partial order: \[ \text{Pf}(a_1,\dots, a_{2r})\leq \text{Pf}(b_1,\dots, b_{2s})\Leftrightarrow s\geq t\text{ and }a_i\leq b_i\text{ for }i= 1,\dots, r. \] Let \(\alpha\in\text{Pf}(X)\) and \(I_\alpha(X)\) the ideal in \(K[X]\) generated by \(\{\beta\in \text{Pf}(X)\mid\beta\ngeq\alpha\}\). In particular \(I_\alpha(X)\) is the ideal in \(K[X]\) generated by all Pfaffians of size \(2r+2\) in case \(\alpha= \text{Pf}(1,\dots,2r)\). The ring \(R_\alpha(X)= K[X]/I_\alpha(X)\) is an algebra with straightening law on \(\{\beta\in\text{Pf}(X)\mid \beta\ngeq\alpha\}\). Employing this structure one obtains a lot of properties, e.g. \(R_\alpha(X)\) is a normal Cohen-Macaulay domain, even factorial if \(\alpha= \text{Pf}(1,\dots,2r)\). (See the thesis of the first author for a good source.) Let \(\alpha= \text{Pf}(1,\dots,2r)\). Following a ``program'' described by \textit{W. Bruns}, the second author and \textit{A. Wiebe} [Mich. Math. J. 53, No. 1, 71--81 (2005; Zbl 1082.13008)], the authors determine an initial algebra of \(R_\alpha(X)\) via a suitable embedding of \(R_\alpha(X)\) into a polynomial ring. This work is the hardest part of the article. After it has been done, one gets new proofs concerning the properties of \(R_\alpha(X)\) mentioned above. In the last section of their paper the authors show how one can apply initial algebra methods to arbitrary \(R_\alpha(X)\).