No label defined (Q4215068)

The paper under review is, in the author's words, a faithful reproduction of his lectures given at the Workshop on Representations of Algebras and Related Topics in the summer of 1996 in Trondheim. It is a concise introductory survey of Auslander's contribution to representation theory of Artin algebras. The paper is centered around the so-called Auslander's formula \[ \frac{\text{f.p.((mod }\Lambda)^{op},{\mathbf{Ab}})}{\{F\mid F(\Lambda)=0\}}=\operatorname{mod}\Lambda \] where \(\Lambda\) is an Artin algebra, \(\operatorname{mod}\Lambda\) is the category of finitely generated \(\Lambda\)-modules, the numericator is the category of contravariant finitely presented functors on \(\operatorname{mod}\Lambda\) with values in Abelian groups, the denominator is the subcategory of such functors vanishing on the \(\Lambda\)-module \(\Lambda\), and the left-hand side of the formula is understood as the corresponding quotient category. In the author's words, ``\dots{} a substantial part of Maurice Auslander's work on \dots{} Artin algebras \dots{} can be linked to [this] formula''. The paper is divided into three parts entitled, respectively, 1) Interplay between functors and almost split sequences, 2) The scope of the Auslander-Reiten theory, and 3) What comes next after Auslander-Reiten theory? The first part starts with a lucid introduction to the basic calculus of functors, including Yoneda's Lemma, finitely generated and finitely presented functors, and simple functors. These tools are then used to prove the existence of almost split sequences, which in turn lead the discussion to the Auslander-Reiten duality and the functorial point of view on the Auslander-Reiten translation. The brief second part relates the Auslander-Reiten theory to Auslander's formula by concentrating on the finitely presented functors of finite length. In the last part, the author indicates future directions of research in representation theory of Artin algebras. Again, in the spirit of Auslander's formula, they are interpreted as the problem of understanding the quotient category of finitely presented functors by the functors of finite length. The tools include: algebraic compactness, infinitely generated modules, \(K\)-theory, infinite radical and component quiver, and the Krull filtration. Who should read this survey? It is a must for anyone who wants to specialize in representation theory of Artin algebras. It would also be invaluable for any functorially-oriented researcher (in any field of mathematics) who wants to understand the Auslander-Reiten theory and, perhaps, to import new methods into his/her field. It is also recommended for anyone who likes exciting mathematical reading. It has definitely been such for the reviewer. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0897.00024].