Nonunimodal Gorenstein sequences of higher socle degrees (Q517068)

A Gorenstein \(h\)-vector (or Gorenstein sequence) \((1,h_2,h_2,\dots,h_{e-1}, 1)\) is the Hilbert function of a graded artinian Gorenstein algebra. Recall that this sequence must be symmetric, but this is only one necessary condition and it is far from sufficient. Although a complete classification of the Gorenstein \(h\)-vectors will probably never be obtained, there have been very many papers written that take different approaches toward an understanding of what kinds of behavior can happen. These include focusing on the initial degree of the ideal, on the socle degree of the algebra (essentially the length of the \(h\)-vector), on asymptotic results, and on the kind of growth that can occur for the Hilbert function. With respect to this latter one, the question of unimodality, and of the possible extent of non-unimodality, has been of interest recently. In the current paper, the authors make the strong assumption that \(h_1 \geq h_i\) for all \(i\), but under this restriction they give a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of non-unimodal Gorenstein \(h\)-vectors, in terms of \(e\) and \(h_1\). Specifically, they show that non-unimodal Gorenstein \(h\)-vectors exist if and only if \(h_1 \geq 4e-3\) for \(e \geq 4\). This result generalizes recent work of F. Zanello and the reviewer, which showed the optimality of an example of Stanley, namely that \((1,12,11,12,1)\) is not a Gorenstein \(h\)-vector.