Generalized $k$-Configurations

http://dx.doi.org/10.4153/CJM-2005-017-2
Canad. J. Math. 57(2005), 400-415

  Published:2005-04-01
 Printed: Apr 2005

In this paper, we find configurations of points in $n$-dimensional projective space ($\proj ^n$) which simultaneously generalize both $k$-configurations and reduced 0-dimensional complete intersections. Recall that $k$-configurations in $\proj ^2$ are disjoint unions of distinct points on lines and in $\proj ^n$ are inductively disjoint unions of $k$-configurations on hyperplanes, subject to certain conditions. Furthermore, the Hilbert function of a $k$-configuration is determined from those of the smaller $k$-configurations. We call our generalized constructions $k_D$-configurations, where $D=\{ d_1, \ldots ,d_r\}$ (a set of $r$ positive integers with repetition allowed) is the type of a given complete intersection in $\proj ^n$. We show that the Hilbert function of any $k_D$-configuration can be obtained from those of smaller $k_D$-configurations. We then provide applications of this result in two different directions, both of which are motivated by corresponding results about $k$-configurations.