Tight Hilbert polynomial and F-rational local rings (Q6042360)

Let \((R, {\mathfrak m})\) be a Noetherian local ring of dimension \(d\) and of prime characteristic \(p\). If \(I\) is any \({\mathfrak m}\) primary ideal in \(R\) and \(R\) is analtytically unramified (i.e., the completion of \(R\) is reduced), then the function \(H^{\star}_I(n) := \ell (R/ (I^n)^{\star})\) is a polynomial in \(n\) for all large \(n\) and this polynomial can be written as \(P^{\star}_{I} (n) = (-1)^i e_i^{\star} (I) \binom{n + d-1-i}{d-i} \) [\textit{K. Goel} et al., Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 169, No. 2, 335--355 (2020; Zbl 1478.13008)]. The coefficients \(e_i^{\star} (I)\), \(i=0, \ldots, d\) are called the tight Hilbert coefficients. This work is motivated by a question by C. Huneke: Is it true that an unmixed Noetherian local ring \(R\) is \(F\)-rational if and only if for some ideal \(Q\) generated by a system of parameters \(e_1^{\star}(Q)\) =0? Goto and Nakamura gave sufficient conditions in terms of the \(e_0^{\star} (Q)\) for \(R\) to be a Cohen-Macaulay \(F\)-rational local ring in the case when \(R\) is equidimensional local ring and if \(R\) is a homomorphic image of a Cohen-Macaulay local ring [\textit{S. Goto} and \textit{Y. Nakamura}, J. Algebra 244, No. 1, 302--311 (2001; Zbl 1063.13019)]. In this paper the authors show that Huneke's question does not have a positive answer (Proposition 5.3). However, Huneke's question does have a positive answer in the case \(R\) is excellent, reduced local ring and \(Q\) is generated by parameter test elements. In this case they give necessary and sufficient conditions for \(R\) to be \(F\)-rational in terms of vanishing of \(e_1^{\star} (Q)\) and depth of \(R\). (Proposition 4.6). They also give a generalization of a result of Theorem 1.1 (1) proved \textit{S. Goto} and \textit{Y. Nakamura} [J. Algebra 244, No. 1, 302--311 (2001; Zbl 1063.13019)]. The paper concludes with some interesting examples. In Example 5.4 an explicit description of the tight Hilbert polynomial is given. This example also shows that the depth condition in Proposition 4.6 cannot be dropped. An example of complete local domain of dimension two which is not rational is given (Example 5.5).