No label defined (Q4344396)

Let \(R\) denote a commutative Noetherian ring \(R.\) Let \(m < n\) be positive integers. For a sequence \(a_0, \ldots , a_n\) of elements of \(R\) let \(H^n_m = (b_{ij})_{0 \leq i \leq m, 0 \leq j \leq n-m}\) denote the Hankel matrix, i.e. \(b_{ij} = a_{i+j}.\) For \(0 \leq t \leq \min(m, n-m)\) let \(I_t = I_t(H^n_m)\) denote the ideal generated by the \((t+1) \times (t+1)\)-minors of \(H^n_m.\) The author proves that grade \(I_t \leq n + 1 - 2t\) and that in the case of equality the ideal \(I_t\) is perfect. In case of \(R = A[a_0, \ldots, a_n]\), the polynomial ring over a Noetherian domain \(A\) in the indeterminates \(a_0, \ldots, a_n\), it follows that \(I_t\) is a perfect prime ideal of grade \(n +1 -2t.\) If \(A\) is in addition normal, then \(R/I_t\) is a normal domain. Moreover, if \(m'\) is another integer such that \(0 \leq t \leq \min(m', n-m'),\) then \(I_t(H^n_m) = I_t(H^n_{m'}).\) In Am. J. Math. 93, 1020-1058 (1971; Zbl 0244.13012), \textit{M. Hochster} and \textit{J. A. Eagon} considered corresponding results for arbitrary determinantal ideals. In order to prove generic perfectness they show that the ideals in consideration are prime. In the paper under review the author deduced the generic perfection directly from their results. In the case of \(t = 1\) and \(A\) a field of characteristic zero it is shown that these rings are rings of invariants. This is open for \(t >1.\) The paper is completed by a survey about how Hankel matrices arise from the theory of binary forms. The author claims that most of his results are implicitly contained in the work of Eagon and Hochster [loc. cit.] and well known. But at least for the reviewer's point of view the paper is a fresh presentation of the results about Hankel ideals with some new insights. For further results about the subject see also \textit{D. Eisenbud}, Am. J. Math. 110, No. 3, 541-575 (1988; Zbl 0681.14028) and \textit{A. Conca}, ``Straightening law and powers of determinantal ideals of Hankel matrices'' (to appear).