COHOMOLOGICAL DIMENSION AND ARITHMETICAL RANK OF SOME DETERMINANTAL IDEALS

Let M be a (2 x n) non-generic matrix of linear forms in a polynomial ring. For large classes of such matrices, we compute the cohomological dimension (cd) and the arithmetical rank (ara) of the ideal I-2 (M) generated by the 2-minors of M. Over an algebraically closed field, any (2 x n) -matrix of linear forms can be written in the Kronecker-Weierstrass normal form, as a concatenation of scroll, Jordan and nilpotent blocks. B. adescu and Valla computed ara (I-2 (M)) when M is a concatenation of scroll blocks. In this case we compute cd (I-2 (M)) and extend these results to concatenations of Jordan blocks. Eventually we compute ara (I-2 (M)) and cd (I-2 (M)) in an interesting mixed case, when M contains both Jordan and scroll blocks. In all cases we show that ara (I-2 (M)) is less than the arithmetical rank of the determinantal ideal of a generic matrix.