The core of zero-dimensional monomial ideals (Q876320)

Let \((R,\mathfrak{m})\) be a Cohen-Macaulay local ring and let \(I\) be an ideal in \(R\). The core of \(I\) is the intersection of all reductions of \(I\). This concept was introduced by \textit{D. Rees} and \textit{J. D. Sally} [Mich. Math. J. 35, No. 2, 241--254 (1988; Zbl 0666.13004)]. Explicit formulae of the core are known when the ideal \(I\) satisfies some natural conditions [see \textit{C. Huneke} and \textit{N. V. Trung}, Compos. Math. 141, No. 1, 1--18 (2005; Zbl 1089.13002), \textit{C. Polini} and \textit{B. Ulrich}, Math. Ann. 331, No. 3, 487--503 (2005; Zbl 1089.13005)]. The authors describe the core of a zero-dimensional monomial ideal \(I\) in \(k[x_1,\ldots,x_d]\). One of the problems is that minimal reductions of monomial ideals need not be monomial. The authors introduce the notion of a general locally minimal reduction \(K\) of \(I\). They then show that the \(\text{core}(I) =\text{mono}(K)\), the largest monomial ideal contained in \(K\). It should be noted that this can be implemented in \texttt{CoCoA}. The authors study the core in terms of the first coefficient ideal \(\widehat I\) of \(I.\) Coefficient ideals were introduced by \textit{K. Shah} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 327, No. 1, 373--384 (1991; Zbl 0738.13007)]. The first coefficient ideal \(\widehat I\) degree 1 component of the endomorphism ring of the canonical module of the extended Rees ring of the underlying ideal \(I\) [see \textit{C. Ciuperca}, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 178, No. 1, 25--48 (2003; Zbl 1088.13501)]. The authors prove that if \(\text{char} k = 0\) and \(I\) is zero-dimensional then \(\text{core}(I) = \text{core}(J)\) for any ideal \(J\) with \(I \subseteq J \subseteq \widehat I\)