Counterexamples regarding symmetric tensors and divided powers (Q932294)

Let \(A\) be a commutative ring with unity. To any \(A\)-module \(M\) and positive integer \(n\) we let \(TS_{A}^{n}( M) \) be the \(A\)-module of symmetric tensors of length \(n,\) that is, \(M^{\otimes n}\) modulo the natural action of the symmetric group \(\mathfrak{S}_{n}.\) Furthermore we let \(\Gamma_{A}^{n}( M) \) be the module of divided powers of length \(n\), defined by universal properties related to polynomial laws of degree \(n\). This gives a functor \(M\mapsto\Gamma_{A}^{n}( M) \) which commutes with base change, whereas \(M\mapsto TS_{A}^{n}( M) \) does not. In the paper under review, the author compares and contrasts \(TS_{A} ^{n}( M) \) and \(\Gamma_{A}^{n}( M) .\) There is a canonical map \(\Gamma_{A}^{n}( M) \to TS_{A}^{n}( M) \) which is an isomorphism if either \(M\) is flat or \(n!\in A\) is invertible. However, in general this map is neither injective nor surjective, and much of this work is devoted to giving specific examples of this. For example, let \(A=k[ x] ,\) where \(k\) is a field of characteristic \(p\). Then \(\Gamma_{A}^{p}( k) \cong k[ x] /( x^{p}) \) and \(TS_{A}^{p}( k) \cong k\) and the canonical map is not injective. Also, if \(\text{char } k=3\) and \(A=k[ s,t] \) we let \(F=A^{2},\) generated by \(e_{1}\) and \(e_{2},\) and \(M=F/K\) where \(K\) is generated by \(se_{1}-te_{2}.\) Here \(\Gamma_{A}^{3}( M) \to TS_{A}^{3}( M) \) is not surjective. Other examples are given where \(\Gamma_{A}^{n}( M) \to TS_{A}^{n}( M) \) is either injective or surjective, but fails to be so under base change. The examples presented here are extended from modules to algebras, and are related to the work of \textit{D. Laksov} and \textit{A. Thorup} [Indiana Univ. Math. J. 56, 825--846 (2007; Zbl 1121.14045)].