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Beilinson Algebras: Definitions and Representations

Updated 26 November 2025
  • Beilinson algebras are finite-dimensional k-algebras defined via quiver presentations with commutativity relations that yield derived equivalence with coherent sheaves on projective spaces.
  • They provide a framework for analyzing graded modules over truncated polynomial rings and categorizing modules into equal images, equal kernels, and constant Jordan type classes.
  • Their structure underpins advances in noncommutative projective geometry, Auslander–Reiten theory, and derived equivalences in modular representation theory.

A Beilinson algebra is a finite-dimensional kk-algebra, central to the study of coherent sheaves on projective spaces, noncommutative projective geometry, and the modular representation theory of elementary abelian pp-groups. The classical construction, developed by Beilinson, provides an explicit endomorphism algebra whose module category is derived equivalent to that of coherent sheaves on Pn\mathbb{P}^n. Generalizations, such as the generalized Beilinson algebras B(n,r)B(n,r), arise as path algebras of quivers with relations reflecting the structure of truncated polynomial or quantum polynomial rings. These algebras exhibit rich homological and representation-theoretic properties, organizing key categories of modules—such as those of constant Jordan type, equal images, and equal kernels—through precise homological criteria and Auslander–Reiten theory.

1. Definition and Quiver Presentation

Generalized Beilinson algebras B(n,r)B(n,r) are defined for integers n≥2n\ge 2, r≥2r\ge 2 over an algebraically closed field kk. Let Q(n,r)Q(n,r) denote the quiver with vertices 0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-1 and pp0 parallel arrows pp1 from vertex pp2 to pp3 for pp4: pp5 The path algebra pp6 is then factored by the ideal pp7 generated by the commutativity relations

pp8

yielding

pp9

For Pn\mathbb{P}^n0, Pn\mathbb{P}^n1 recovers the classical Beilinson algebra associated to Pn\mathbb{P}^n2, while for Pn\mathbb{P}^n3 the algebra is the Pn\mathbb{P}^n4-Kronecker algebra Pn\mathbb{P}^n5 (Worch, 2012).

2. Module Categories and Graded Interpretations

The category Pn\mathbb{P}^n6 admits a natural interpretation as the category of graded modules over the truncated polynomial algebra Pn\mathbb{P}^n7 supported in degrees Pn\mathbb{P}^n8 through Pn\mathbb{P}^n9: B(n,r)B(n,r)0 Under this correspondence, each module B(n,r)B(n,r)1 has B(n,r)B(n,r)2 (primitive idempotent) acting as a projection onto B(n,r)B(n,r)3, and each arrow B(n,r)B(n,r)4 as an operator mapping B(n,r)B(n,r)5. This identification allows one to study categories of finite length B(n,r)B(n,r)6 graded modules for truncated polynomial rings, and provides a bridge to the category of modules for the group algebra of the elementary abelian group B(n,r)B(n,r)7 (Worch, 2012).

3. Homological Characterization of Special Module Categories

For B(n,r)B(n,r)8, the operator

B(n,r)B(n,r)9

acts on any B(n,r)B(n,r)0-module B(n,r)B(n,r)1. The following subcategories are distinguished:

  • Equal Images (EIPB(n,r)B(n,r)2): B(n,r)B(n,r)3 such that for all nonzero B(n,r)B(n,r)4, B(n,r)B(n,r)5.
  • Equal Kernels (EKPB(n,r)B(n,r)6): B(n,r)B(n,r)7 such that for all nonzero B(n,r)B(n,r)8, B(n,r)B(n,r)9.
  • Constant Jordan Type (CJTn≥2n\ge 20): n≥2n\ge 21 such that, for all n≥2n\ge 22, the rank of n≥2n\ge 23 acting from n≥2n\ge 24 is independent of n≥2n\ge 25.
  • These categories satisfy n≥2n\ge 26 (Worch, 2014, Worch, 2012).

A projective-dimension-1 family n≥2n\ge 27 of n≥2n\ge 28-modules parameterized by n≥2n\ge 29 provides a homological characterization: r≥2r\ge 20 This underpins torsion theories for r≥2r\ge 21: EIP is a torsion class closed under extensions and images, containing preinjectives; EKP is a torsion-free class closed under submodules, containing preprojectives (Worch, 2012, Worch, 2014).

4. Generalized r≥2r\ge 22-Modules and Iterated One-Point Extensions

Let r≥2r\ge 23 and r≥2r\ge 24. For integers r≥2r\ge 25, define

r≥2r\ge 26

where r≥2r\ge 27 denotes duality. These are the generalized r≥2r\ge 28-modules (in EKP) and r≥2r\ge 29-modules (in EIP): kk0 These modules are indecomposable, kk1-stable, and have local, commutative endomorphism rings. For kk2 they exhaust all indecomposable objects in EIPkk3, for kk4, there are infinitely many bricks per torsion class (Worch, 2012).

More structurally, kk5 admits an inductive construction as iterated one-point extensions: kk6 yielding

kk7

This construction controls the lifting of almost split sequences (Auslander–Reiten theory) between module categories (Worch, 2014).

5. Auslander–Reiten Theory and kk8-Components

For kk9, the Auslander–Reiten quiver Q(n,r)Q(n,r)0 of Q(n,r)Q(n,r)1 contains regular components of tree class Q(n,r)Q(n,r)2 (so-called Q(n,r)Q(n,r)3-components). The central theorem (Worch, 2014) establishes:

  • Each generalized Q(n,r)Q(n,r)4-module Q(n,r)Q(n,r)5 (Q(n,r)Q(n,r)6) is quasi-simple in a unique regular Q(n,r)Q(n,r)7-component Q(n,r)Q(n,r)8.
  • Q(n,r)Q(n,r)9 is the disjoint union

0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-10

where every module in 0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-11 has constant Jordan type, i.e., lies in 0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-12.

  • For 0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-13, the EIP and EKP cones in 0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-14 meet along a single mesh, while for 0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-15, there is one mesh where modules are neither EIP nor EKP.
  • The almost-split (Auslander–Reiten) sequences in 0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-16 lift to those in 0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-17, allowing inductive control over the components.
  • Computation of the Auslander–Reiten translates 0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-18, 0,1,…,n−10,1,\ldots,n-19 describes the mesh structure, confirming the CJT property throughout pp00.

The structure of pp01 links the homological and combinatorial representation theory of pp02, with organizing subcategories and homological invariants determined via the projective-dimension-1 modules pp03 (Worch, 2014).

6. Beilinson Algebras in Noncommutative Projective Geometry

The Beilinson algebra framework extends to noncommutative projective geometry, especially for quantum polynomial algebras. For pp04 a 3-dimensional quantum polynomial algebra, its Beilinson algebra pp05 is

pp06

with multiplication induced by pp07's ring structure (Itaba, 2023).

A crucial result for Type S' quantum polynomial algebras relates the following:

  • (i) The noncommutative projective plane pp08 is finite over its center.
  • (ii) pp09 is pp10-representation tame (its preprojective algebra pp11 is right Noetherian and finite over its center).
  • (iii) The isomorphism classes of simple pp12-regular pp13-modules are parametrized by the points of pp14.

This equivalence links geometric properties of noncommutative projective schemes to representation-theoretic properties of Beilinson algebras. The quiver of pp15 is directly determined by the generators and relations of pp16, and the preprojective center structure enables explicit parametrization of simple modules (Itaba, 2023).

7. Extensions, Derived Equivalences, and Infinite Generalizations

Generalizations include the construction of locally pp17-Beilinson-Green algebras pp18 for various admissible index sets pp19, in the setting of triangulated or pp20-exangulated categories. In this context: pp21 is an upper-triangular (possibly infinite) matrix algebra with a locally finite system of orthogonal idempotents. When pp22, the classical Beilinson algebra is recovered (Pan, 2019).

Symmetric approximation sequences and higher exact sequences supply a machinery for producing derived equivalences between (quotients of) such algebras. Notably, this generalizes and unifies results for tilting complexes, D-split sequences, and graded Morita theory, allowing derived equivalences across Beilinson-Green algebras constructed from semi-Gorenstein modules and group graded algebras (Pan, 2019).


References:

(Worch, 2014, Worch, 2012, Itaba, 2023, Pan, 2019)

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