Genera and arithmetic genera of commutative rings (Q579342)

Writing the Hilbert-Samuel polynomial \(\ell (R/I^{n+1})\), \(n\gg 0\), associated to a d-dimensional local ring (R,\({\mathfrak m})\) and an \({\mathfrak m}\)-primary ideal I in the form \(e_ 0\left( \begin{matrix} n+d\\ d\end{matrix} \right)-e_ 1\left( \begin{matrix} n+d-1\\ d-1\end{matrix} \right)+...+(-1)^ de_ d\), the author considers the invariants \(e_ 0-e_ 1+...+(-1)^ de_ d\) and \(e_ d\), called the arithmetic genus and the genus of I, respectively. The ``normal'' forms of these invariants are obtained when \(I^{n+1}\) is replaced by its integral closure (in this setup R is assumed to be analytically unramified). These invariants are related to the lengths of local cohomology modules, to the cohomology of the projective spectra of the Rees rings, and to the reduction exponent of I: the results are too various, and often rather technical, to be detailed here. In the cases of curves \((d=1)\) and surfaces \((d=2)\) additional precision is achieved. The paper gives very accurate descriptions of the relation of the results presented here with those of previous research by a number of authors.