On the rank index of some quadratic varieties (Q6095333)

Let \(X \subseteq {\mathbb{P}^r}\) be a nondegenerate irreducible projective variety over an algebraically closed fiend \(\mathbb{K}\), and let \(I(X)\) be its defining ideal in \(\mathbb{K}[z_0, \dots, z_r]\). The variety \(X\) is said to be \textit{quadratic} if \(I(X)\) is generated in degree 2. This coincides with Green and Lazarsfeld's property \(N_0\). In general, Green and Lazarsfeld's property \(N_p\) has been much investigated. In [\textit{K. Han} et al., Compos. Math. 157, No. 9, 2001--2025 (2021; Zbl 1476.13019)], the authors give a finer notion than that of property \(N_0\). Specifically, a variety \(X\) is said to have rank-index \(k\) if \(k\) is the smallest integer such that \(I(X)\) is generated by quadrics of rank at most \(k\). This paper study the rank-index of a number of classical varieties. The main results show that: \begin{itemize} \item[1.] if \(X\) is a smooth rational normal scroll then its rank-index is 3 if \(\dim X = 1\) and 4 otherwise; \item[2.] if \(X\) is a Segre variety then its rank-index is 4; and \item[3.] if \(X\) is the Plücket embedding of the Grassmannian of lines then its rank-index is 6. \end{itemize} The paper also describes the rank-index of different classes of del Pezzo varieties.