Reduced Bass numbers, Auslanders δ-invariant and certain homological conjectures (Q4779990)

Let \(R\) be a noetherian local ring of dimension \(d\) with maximal ideal \(\mathfrak m\) and \(\mathfrak k = R/\mathfrak m\). For a finitely generated \(R\)-module \(M\) and \(i\in\mathbb N\), there is a natural map \(\text{Ext}_R^i(\mathfrak k,M)\rightarrow\mathfrak m{\text{H}}_{\mathfrak m}^i(M)\). The authors define the reduced Bass number \(\nu^i(M)\) as the \(\mathfrak k\)-dimension of the image of this map. A projective resolution of \(\mathfrak k\) with \(d\)th syzygy \(S\) gives rise to a \(d\)-extension \(0\rightarrow S\rightarrow\cdots\rightarrow\mathfrak k\rightarrow 0\), that is, an element of \(\text{Ext}_R^d(\mathfrak k,S)\), and thus an element \(\eta_R\) of \(\text{H}_{\mathfrak m}^d(S)\). Hochster's canonical element conjecture states that \(\eta_R\not= 0\), or equivalently, that \(\nu^d(S)\not= 0\). The authors exhibit a close relationship between \(\nu^d\) and certain invariants considered by M. Auslander. Assume that \(R\) is Cohen-Macaulay with a dualizing module \(\omega\). For a minimal Cohen-Macaulay approximation (in the sense of Auslander and Buchweitz) \(X\oplus\omega^s\rightarrow M\) with \(s\) maximal, the number \(\gamma(M) := s\) is called the gamma-invariant of \(M\). For an \(R\)-linear map \(f\): \(M\rightarrow N\), let \(\mu^i(f)\) denote the \(\mathfrak k\)-dimension of the image of the induced map \(f_{\ast}\): \(\text{Ext}_R^i(\mathfrak k,M)\rightarrow\text{Ext}_R^i(\mathfrak k,N)\). (Thus \(\mu^i(1_M)\) is just the \(i\)th Bass number of \(M\).) It is shown that \(\gamma(M)= \mu^d(p)\) for a (not necessarily minimal) \(\omega\)-cover \(p\): \(\omega^t\rightarrow M\), and \(\nu^d(M)=\mu^d(j)\) for an \(\omega\)-hull \(j\): \(M\rightarrow\omega^t\) of \(M\). (Non-minimal covers, resp. hulls, are called precovers resp. preenvelopes, by the authors.) For a local Gorenstein ring \(R\), the \(\gamma\)-invariant is also known as \(\delta\)-invariant and has received some attention. The authors show that in this case, Hochster's canonical element conjecture is equivalent to the following statement: For each unmixed ideal \(I\not= 0\) of height zero, \(\delta(R/I)=0\). (Note that the class of unmixed ideals \(I\not= 0\) of height zero in \(R\) coincides with the class of proper annihilator ideals \(I\not= 0\).) This statement is true in the equi-characteristic case. Furthermore, the authors reduce the conjecture to a statement on parameter systems in \(R\), and verify it in some particular cases.