Generating algebras over commutative rings

Let R be a noetherian (commutative) ring of Krull dimension d. A classical theorem of Forster states that a rank-n locally free R-module can be generated by n+d elements. Swan and Chase observed that this upper bound cannot be improved in general. I will discuss a joint work with Zinovy Reichstein and Ben Williams where similar upper and lower bounds are obtained for R-algebras, provided that R is of finite type over an infinite field k. For example, every Azumaya R-algebra of degree n (i.e. an n-by-n matrix algebra bundle over Spec R) can be generated by floor(d/(n-1))+2 elements, and there exist degree-n Azumaya algebras over d-dimensional rings which cannot be generated by fewer than floor(d/(2n-2))+2 elements. The proof reinterprets the problem as a question on "how well" certain algebraic spaces approximate the classifying stack of the automorphism scheme of the algebra in question.

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Topic: BIU Algebra Seminar -- First
Time: Mar 10, 2021 10:30 AM Jerusalem

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Meeting ID: 879 6471 5372