A syzygetic approach to the smoothability of zero-dimensional schemes (Q973939)

The authors work on the problem of determining which zero dimensional schemes deform to a set of distinct points, i.e. are smoothable. This is a fundamental problem in the theory of Hilbert schemes of points -- and active and exciting area of research in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra. The authors define a syzygetic invariant which gives insight to the problem mentioned above. Using their invariant the authors are able to deduce several interesting examples including: families which are not smoothable; Hilbert schemes of points which have components intersecting away from the smoothable component; and information about the Hilbert scheme of nine points in five dimensional affine space. The paper is expertly written and contains necessary background information on Hilbert schemes, inverse systems, and regularity for homogeneous ideals. Several enlightening examples are given including computations of their introduced \(\kappa\)-vector. Theorems establishing necessary, as well as both necessary and sufficient conditions for certain classes of schemes of regularity two to be smoothable are given.