On Rees algebras of 2-determinantal ideals

Abstract

Let I be the ideal of minors of a 2 by n matrix of linear forms with the expected codimension. In this paper we prove that the Rees algebra of I and its special fiber ring are Cohen-Macaulay and Koszul; in particular, they are quadratic algebras. The main novelty in our approach is the analysis of a stratification of the Hilbert scheme of determinantal ideals. We study degenerations of Rees algebras along this stratification, and combine it with certain squarefree Groebner degenerations.

Final version. To appear on the Journal of the London Mathematical Society