Mathematical Research Letters

Volume 24 (2017)

Number 3

A note on algebraic rank, matroids, and metrized complexes

Pages: 827 – 837

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4310/MRL.2017.v24.n3.a10

Author

Yoav Len (Department of Mathematics, University of Tübingen, Germany)

Abstract

We show that the algebraic rank of divisors on certain graphs is related to the realizability problem of matroids. As a consequence, we produce a series of examples in which the algebraic rank depends on the ground field. We use the theory of metrized complexes to show that equality between the algebraic and combinatorial rank is not a sufficient condition for smoothability of divisors, thus giving a negative answer to a question posed by Caporaso, Melo, and the author.

Received 6 November 2014

Accepted 7 March 2016

Published 1 September 2017