In mathematics, the Jacobian ideal or gradient ideal is the ideal generated by the Jacobian of a function or function germ.
Let  denote the ring of smooth functions in
 denote the ring of smooth functions in  variables and
 variables and  a function in the ring.  The Jacobian ideal of
 a function in the ring.  The Jacobian ideal of  is
 is
 
In deformation theory, the deformations of a hypersurface given by a polynomial  is classified by the ring
 is classified by the ring![{\displaystyle {\frac {\mathbb {C} [x_{1},\ldots ,x_{n}]}{(f)+J_{f}}}.}](./_assets_/6972a9a7f3258ff0cbb12639f05baf31cacf0d69.svg) This is shown using the Kodaira–Spencer map.
This is shown using the Kodaira–Spencer map.
Relation to Hodge theory
In Hodge theory, there are objects called real Hodge structures which are the data of a real vector space  and an increasing filtration
 and an increasing filtration  of
 of  satisfying a list of compatibility structures. For a smooth projective variety
 satisfying a list of compatibility structures. For a smooth projective variety  there is a canonical Hodge structure.
 there is a canonical Hodge structure.
Statement for degree d hypersurfaces
In the special case  is defined by a homogeneous degree
 is defined by a homogeneous degree  polynomial
 polynomial  this Hodge structure can be understood completely from the Jacobian ideal. For its graded-pieces, this is given by the map[1]
 this Hodge structure can be understood completely from the Jacobian ideal. For its graded-pieces, this is given by the map[1]![{\displaystyle \mathbb {C} [Z_{0},\ldots ,Z_{n}]^{(d(n-1+p)-(n+2))}\to {\frac {F^{p}H^{n}(X,\mathbb {C} )}{F^{p+1}H^{n}(X,\mathbb {C} )}}}](./_assets_/7a3c74ad275fcadc66d597df63ced72c7e470058.svg) which is surjective on the primitive cohomology, denoted
which is surjective on the primitive cohomology, denoted  and has the kernel
 and has the kernel  . Note the primitive cohomology classes are the classes of
. Note the primitive cohomology classes are the classes of  which do not come from
 which do not come from  , which is just the Lefschetz class
, which is just the Lefschetz class ![{\displaystyle [L]^{n}=c_{1}({\mathcal {O}}(1))^{d}}](./_assets_/86cae552667c39560f0999fa1bd3a5e67f4ee5b5.svg) .
.
Sketch of proof
Reduction to residue map
For  there is an associated short exact sequence of complexes
 there is an associated short exact sequence of complexes![{\displaystyle 0\to \Omega _{\mathbb {P} ^{n+1}}^{\bullet }\to \Omega _{\mathbb {P} ^{n+1}}^{\bullet }(\log X)\xrightarrow {res} \Omega _{X}^{\bullet }[-1]\to 0}](./_assets_/a54960e2be1eda4e37d2635f2a7e72b2d4a08513.svg) where the middle complex is the complex of sheaves of logarithmic forms and the right-hand map is the residue map. This has an associated long exact sequence in cohomology. From the Lefschetz hyperplane theorem there is only one interesting cohomology group of
where the middle complex is the complex of sheaves of logarithmic forms and the right-hand map is the residue map. This has an associated long exact sequence in cohomology. From the Lefschetz hyperplane theorem there is only one interesting cohomology group of  , which is
, which is  . From the long exact sequence of this short exact sequence, there the induced residue map
. From the long exact sequence of this short exact sequence, there the induced residue map![{\displaystyle \mathbb {H} ^{n+1}\left(\mathbb {P} ^{n+1},\Omega _{\mathbb {P} ^{n+1}}^{\bullet }(\log X)\right)\to \mathbb {H} ^{n+1}(\mathbb {P} ^{n+1},\Omega _{X}^{\bullet }[-1])}](./_assets_/dada9c0a74c16a576e568ded7b41eefb2d529597.svg) where the right hand side is equal to
where the right hand side is equal to  , which is isomorphic to
, which is isomorphic to  . Also, there is an isomorphism
. Also, there is an isomorphism  Through these isomorphisms there is an induced residue map
Through these isomorphisms there is an induced residue map which is injective, and surjective on primitive cohomology. Also, there is the Hodge decomposition
which is injective, and surjective on primitive cohomology. Also, there is the Hodge decomposition and
and  .
.
Computation of de Rham cohomology group
In turns out the de Rham cohomology group  is much more tractable and has an explicit description in terms of polynomials. The
 is much more tractable and has an explicit description in terms of polynomials. The  part is spanned by the meromorphic forms having poles of order
 part is spanned by the meromorphic forms having poles of order  which surjects onto the
 which surjects onto the  part of
 part of  . This comes from the reduction isomorphism
. This comes from the reduction isomorphism Using the canonical
Using the canonical  -form
-form on
on  where the
 where the  denotes the deletion from the index, these meromorphic differential forms look like
 denotes the deletion from the index, these meromorphic differential forms look like where
where Finally, it turns out the kernel[1] Lemma 8.11 is of all polynomials of the form
Finally, it turns out the kernel[1] Lemma 8.11 is of all polynomials of the form  where
 where  . Note the Euler identity
. Note the Euler identity shows
shows  .
.
References
See also