69.14 Devissage of coherent sheaves
This section is the analogue of Cohomology of Schemes, Section 30.12.
Lemma 69.14.1. Let S be a scheme. Let X be a Noetherian algebraic space over S. Let \mathcal{F} be a coherent sheaf on X. Suppose that \text{Supp}(\mathcal{F}) = Z \cup Z' with Z, Z' closed. Then there exists a short exact sequence of coherent sheaves
0 \to \mathcal{G}' \to \mathcal{F} \to \mathcal{G} \to 0
with \text{Supp}(\mathcal{G}') \subset Z' and \text{Supp}(\mathcal{G}) \subset Z.
Proof.
Let \mathcal{I} \subset \mathcal{O}_ X be the sheaf of ideals defining the reduced induced closed subspace structure on Z, see Properties of Spaces, Lemma 66.12.3. Consider the subsheaves \mathcal{G}'_ n = \mathcal{I}^ n\mathcal{F} and the quotients \mathcal{G}_ n = \mathcal{F}/\mathcal{I}^ n\mathcal{F}. For each n we have a short exact sequence
0 \to \mathcal{G}'_ n \to \mathcal{F} \to \mathcal{G}_ n \to 0
For every geometric point \overline{x} of Z' \setminus Z we have \mathcal{I}_{\overline{x}} = \mathcal{O}_{X, \overline{x}} and hence \mathcal{G}_{n, \overline{x}} = 0. Thus we see that \text{Supp}(\mathcal{G}_ n) \subset Z. Note that X \setminus Z' is a Noetherian algebraic space. Hence by Lemma 69.13.2 there exists an n such that \mathcal{G}'_ n|_{X \setminus Z'} = \mathcal{I}^ n\mathcal{F}|_{X \setminus Z'} = 0. For such an n we see that \text{Supp}(\mathcal{G}'_ n) \subset Z'. Thus setting \mathcal{G}' = \mathcal{G}'_ n and \mathcal{G} = \mathcal{G}_ n works.
\square
In the following we will freely use the scheme theoretic support of finite type modules as defined in Morphisms of Spaces, Definition 67.15.4.
Lemma 69.14.2. Let S be a scheme. Let X be a Noetherian algebraic space over S. Let \mathcal{F} be a coherent sheaf on X. Assume that the scheme theoretic support of \mathcal{F} is a reduced Z \subset X with |Z| irreducible. Then there exist an integer r > 0, a nonzero sheaf of ideals \mathcal{I} \subset \mathcal{O}_ Z, and an injective map of coherent sheaves
i_*\left(\mathcal{I}^{\oplus r}\right) \to \mathcal{F}
whose cokernel is supported on a proper closed subspace of Z.
Proof.
By assumption there exists a coherent \mathcal{O}_ Z-module \mathcal{G} with support Z and \mathcal{F} \cong i_*\mathcal{G}, see Lemma 69.12.7. Hence it suffices to prove the lemma for the case Z = X and i = \text{id}.
By Properties of Spaces, Proposition 66.13.3 there exists a dense open subspace U \subset X which is a scheme. Note that U is a Noetherian integral scheme. After shrinking U we may assume that \mathcal{F}|_ U \cong \mathcal{O}_ U^{\oplus r} (for example by Cohomology of Schemes, Lemma 30.12.2 or by a direct algebra argument). Let \mathcal{I} \subset \mathcal{O}_ X be a quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals whose associated closed subspace is the complement of U in X (see for example Properties of Spaces, Section 66.12). By Lemma 69.13.4 there exists an n \geq 0 and a morphism \mathcal{I}^ n(\mathcal{O}_ X^{\oplus r}) \to \mathcal{F} which recovers our isomorphism over U. Since \mathcal{I}^ n(\mathcal{O}_ X^{\oplus r}) = (\mathcal{I}^ n)^{\oplus r} we get a map as in the lemma. It is injective: namely, if \sigma is a nonzero section of \mathcal{I}^{\oplus r} over a scheme W étale over X, then because X hence W is reduced the support of \sigma contains a nonempty open of W. But the kernel of (\mathcal{I}^ n)^{\oplus r} \to \mathcal{F} is zero over a dense open, hence \sigma cannot be a section of the kernel.
\square
Lemma 69.14.3. Let S be a scheme. Let X be a Noetherian algebraic space over S. Let \mathcal{F} be a coherent sheaf on X. There exists a filtration
0 = \mathcal{F}_0 \subset \mathcal{F}_1 \subset \ldots \subset \mathcal{F}_ m = \mathcal{F}
by coherent subsheaves such that for each j = 1, \ldots , m there exists a reduced closed subspace Z_ j \subset X with |Z_ j| irreducible and a sheaf of ideals \mathcal{I}_ j \subset \mathcal{O}_{Z_ j} such that
\mathcal{F}_ j/\mathcal{F}_{j - 1} \cong (Z_ j \to X)_* \mathcal{I}_ j
Proof.
Consider the collection
\mathcal{T} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} T \subset |X| \text{ closed such that there exists a coherent sheaf } \mathcal{F}
\\ \text{ with } \text{Supp}(\mathcal{F}) = T \text{ for which the lemma is wrong}
\end{matrix} \right\}
We are trying to show that \mathcal{T} is empty. If not, then because |X| is Noetherian (Properties of Spaces, Lemma 66.24.2) we can choose a minimal element T \in \mathcal{T}. This means that there exists a coherent sheaf \mathcal{F} on X whose support is T and for which the lemma does not hold. Clearly T \not= \emptyset since the only sheaf whose support is empty is the zero sheaf for which the lemma does hold (with m = 0).
If T is not irreducible, then we can write T = Z_1 \cup Z_2 with Z_1, Z_2 closed and strictly smaller than T. Then we can apply Lemma 69.14.1 to get a short exact sequence of coherent sheaves
0 \to \mathcal{G}_1 \to \mathcal{F} \to \mathcal{G}_2 \to 0
with \text{Supp}(\mathcal{G}_ i) \subset Z_ i. By minimality of T each of \mathcal{G}_ i has a filtration as in the statement of the lemma. By considering the induced filtration on \mathcal{F} we arrive at a contradiction. Hence we conclude that T is irreducible.
Suppose T is irreducible. Let \mathcal{J} be the sheaf of ideals defining the reduced induced closed subspace structure on T, see Properties of Spaces, Lemma 66.12.3. By Lemma 69.13.2 we see there exists an n \geq 0 such that \mathcal{J}^ n\mathcal{F} = 0. Hence we obtain a filtration
0 = \mathcal{I}^ n\mathcal{F} \subset \mathcal{I}^{n - 1}\mathcal{F} \subset \ldots \subset \mathcal{I}\mathcal{F} \subset \mathcal{F}
each of whose successive subquotients is annihilated by \mathcal{J}. Hence if each of these subquotients has a filtration as in the statement of the lemma then also \mathcal{F} does. In other words we may assume that \mathcal{J} does annihilate \mathcal{F}.
Assume T is irreducible and \mathcal{J}\mathcal{F} = 0 where \mathcal{J} is as above. Then the scheme theoretic support of \mathcal{F} is T, see Morphisms of Spaces, Lemma 67.14.1. Hence we can apply Lemma 69.14.2. This gives a short exact sequence
0 \to i_*(\mathcal{I}^{\oplus r}) \to \mathcal{F} \to \mathcal{Q} \to 0
where the support of \mathcal{Q} is a proper closed subset of T. Hence we see that \mathcal{Q} has a filtration of the desired type by minimality of T. But then clearly \mathcal{F} does too, which is our final contradiction.
\square
Lemma 69.14.4. Let S be a scheme. Let X be a Noetherian algebraic space over S. Let \mathcal{P} be a property of coherent sheaves on X. Assume
For any short exact sequence of coherent sheaves
0 \to \mathcal{F}_1 \to \mathcal{F} \to \mathcal{F}_2 \to 0
if \mathcal{F}_ i, i = 1, 2 have property \mathcal{P} then so does \mathcal{F}.
For every reduced closed subspace Z \subset X with |Z| irreducible and every quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals \mathcal{I} \subset \mathcal{O}_ Z we have \mathcal{P} for i_*\mathcal{I}.
Then property \mathcal{P} holds for every coherent sheaf on X.
Proof.
First note that if \mathcal{F} is a coherent sheaf with a filtration
0 = \mathcal{F}_0 \subset \mathcal{F}_1 \subset \ldots \subset \mathcal{F}_ m = \mathcal{F}
by coherent subsheaves such that each of \mathcal{F}_ i/\mathcal{F}_{i - 1} has property \mathcal{P}, then so does \mathcal{F}. This follows from the property (1) for \mathcal{P}. On the other hand, by Lemma 69.14.3 we can filter any \mathcal{F} with successive subquotients as in (2). Hence the lemma follows.
\square
Here is a more useful variant of the lemma above.
Lemma 69.14.5. Let S be a scheme. Let X be a Noetherian algebraic space over S. Let \mathcal{P} be a property of coherent sheaves on X. Assume
For any short exact sequence of coherent sheaves
0 \to \mathcal{F}_1 \to \mathcal{F} \to \mathcal{F}_2 \to 0
if \mathcal{F}_ i, i = 1, 2 have property \mathcal{P} then so does \mathcal{F}.
If \mathcal{P} holds for \mathcal{F}^{\oplus r} for some r \geq 1, then it holds for \mathcal{F}.
For every reduced closed subspace i : Z \to X with |Z| irreducible there exists a coherent sheaf \mathcal{G} on Z such that
\text{Supp}(\mathcal{G}) = Z,
for every nonzero quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals \mathcal{I} \subset \mathcal{O}_ Z there exists a quasi-coherent subsheaf \mathcal{G}' \subset \mathcal{I}\mathcal{G} such that \text{Supp}(\mathcal{G}/\mathcal{G}') is proper closed in |Z| and such that \mathcal{P} holds for i_*\mathcal{G}'.
Then property \mathcal{P} holds for every coherent sheaf on X.
Proof.
Consider the collection
\mathcal{T} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} T \subset |X| \text{ nonempty closed such that there exists a coherent sheaf }
\\ \mathcal{F} \text{ with } \text{Supp}(\mathcal{F}) = T \text{ for which the lemma is wrong}
\end{matrix} \right\}
We are trying to show that \mathcal{T} is empty. If not, then because |X| is Noetherian (Properties of Spaces, Lemma 66.24.2) we can choose a minimal element T \in \mathcal{T}. This means that there exists a coherent sheaf \mathcal{F} on X whose support is T and for which the lemma does not hold.
If T is not irreducible, then we can write T = Z_1 \cup Z_2 with Z_1, Z_2 closed and strictly smaller than T. Then we can apply Lemma 69.14.1 to get a short exact sequence of coherent sheaves
0 \to \mathcal{G}_1 \to \mathcal{F} \to \mathcal{G}_2 \to 0
with \text{Supp}(\mathcal{G}_ i) \subset Z_ i. By minimality of T each of \mathcal{G}_ i has \mathcal{P}. Hence \mathcal{F} has property \mathcal{P} by (1), a contradiction.
Suppose T is irreducible. Let \mathcal{J} be the sheaf of ideals defining the reduced induced closed subspace structure on T, see Properties of Spaces, Lemma 66.12.3. By Lemma 69.13.2 we see there exists an n \geq 0 such that \mathcal{J}^ n\mathcal{F} = 0. Hence we obtain a filtration
0 = \mathcal{J}^ n\mathcal{F} \subset \mathcal{J}^{n - 1}\mathcal{F} \subset \ldots \subset \mathcal{J}\mathcal{F} \subset \mathcal{F}
each of whose successive subquotients is annihilated by \mathcal{J}. Hence if each of these subquotients has a filtration as in the statement of the lemma then also \mathcal{F} does by (1). In other words we may assume that \mathcal{J} does annihilate \mathcal{F}.
Assume T is irreducible and \mathcal{J}\mathcal{F} = 0 where \mathcal{J} is as above. Denote i : Z \to X the closed subspace corresponding to \mathcal{J}. Then \mathcal{F} = i_*\mathcal{H} for some coherent \mathcal{O}_ Z-module \mathcal{H}, see Morphisms of Spaces, Lemma 67.14.1 and Lemma 69.12.7. Let \mathcal{G} be the coherent sheaf on Z satisfying (3)(a) and (3)(b). We apply Lemma 69.14.2 to get injective maps
\mathcal{I}_1^{\oplus r_1} \to \mathcal{H} \quad \text{and}\quad \mathcal{I}_2^{\oplus r_2} \to \mathcal{G}
where the support of the cokernels are proper closed in Z. Hence we find an nonempty open V \subset Z such that
\mathcal{H}^{\oplus r_2}_ V \cong \mathcal{G}^{\oplus r_1}_ V
Let \mathcal{I} \subset \mathcal{O}_ Z be a quasi-coherent ideal sheaf cutting out Z \setminus V we obtain (Lemma 69.13.4) a map
\mathcal{I}^ n\mathcal{G}^{\oplus r_1} \longrightarrow \mathcal{H}^{\oplus r_2}
which is an isomorphism over V. The kernel is supported on Z \setminus V hence annihilated by some power of \mathcal{I}, see Lemma 69.13.2. Thus after increasing n we may assume the displayed map is injective, see Lemma 69.13.3. Applying (3)(b) we find \mathcal{G}' \subset \mathcal{I}^ n\mathcal{G} such that
(i_*\mathcal{G}')^{\oplus r_1} \longrightarrow i_*\mathcal{H}^{\oplus r_2} = \mathcal{F}^{\oplus r_2}
is injective with cokernel supported in a proper closed subset of Z and such that property \mathcal{P} holds for i_*\mathcal{G}'. By (1) property \mathcal{P} holds for (i_*\mathcal{G}')^{\oplus r_1}. By (1) and minimality of T = |Z| property \mathcal{P} holds for \mathcal{F}^{\oplus r_2}. And finally by (2) property \mathcal{P} holds for \mathcal{F} which is the desired contradiction.
\square
Lemma 69.14.6. Let S be a scheme. Let X be a Noetherian algebraic space over S. Let \mathcal{P} be a property of coherent sheaves on X. Assume
For any short exact sequence of coherent sheaves on X if two out of three have property \mathcal{P} so does the third.
If \mathcal{P} holds for \mathcal{F}^{\oplus r} for some r \geq 1, then it holds for \mathcal{F}.
For every reduced closed subspace i : Z \to X with |Z| irreducible there exists a coherent sheaf \mathcal{G} on X whose scheme theoretic support is Z such that \mathcal{P} holds for \mathcal{G}.
Then property \mathcal{P} holds for every coherent sheaf on X.
Proof.
We will show that conditions (1) and (2) of Lemma 69.14.4 hold. This is clear for condition (1). To show that (2) holds, let
\mathcal{T} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} i : Z \to X \text{ reduced closed subspace with }|Z|\text{ irreducible such}
\\ \text{ that }i_*\mathcal{I}\text{ does not have }\mathcal{P} \text{ for some quasi-coherent }\mathcal{I} \subset \mathcal{O}_ Z
\end{matrix} \right\}
If \mathcal{T} is nonempty, then since X is Noetherian, we can find an i : Z \to X which is minimal in \mathcal{T}. We will show that this leads to a contradiction.
Let \mathcal{G} be the sheaf whose scheme theoretic support is Z whose existence is assumed in assumption (3). Let \varphi : i_*\mathcal{I}^{\oplus r} \to \mathcal{G} be as in Lemma 69.14.2. Let
0 = \mathcal{F}_0 \subset \mathcal{F}_1 \subset \ldots \subset \mathcal{F}_ m = \mathop{\mathrm{Coker}}(\varphi )
be a filtration as in Lemma 69.14.3. By minimality of Z and assumption (1) we see that \mathop{\mathrm{Coker}}(\varphi ) has property \mathcal{P}. As \varphi is injective we conclude using assumption (1) once more that i_*\mathcal{I}^{\oplus r} has property \mathcal{P}. Using assumption (2) we conclude that i_*\mathcal{I} has property \mathcal{P}.
Finally, if \mathcal{J} \subset \mathcal{O}_ Z is a second quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals, set \mathcal{K} = \mathcal{I} \cap \mathcal{J} and consider the short exact sequences
0 \to \mathcal{K} \to \mathcal{I} \to \mathcal{I}/\mathcal{K} \to 0 \quad \text{and} \quad 0 \to \mathcal{K} \to \mathcal{J} \to \mathcal{J}/\mathcal{K} \to 0
Arguing as above, using the minimality of Z, we see that i_*\mathcal{I}/\mathcal{K} and i_*\mathcal{J}/\mathcal{K} satisfy \mathcal{P}. Hence by assumption (1) we conclude that i_*\mathcal{K} and then i_*\mathcal{J} satisfy \mathcal{P}. In other words, Z is not an element of \mathcal{T} which is the desired contradiction.
\square
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