Projective complete intersection

A projective complete intersection is a closed subscheme of a projective space defined by a homogeneous regular sequence of positive degrees. A length-$r$ sequence in $k[t_0,\dots ,t_N]$ gives dimension $N-r$ when $r\le N$. Sheafifying its successive quotient sequences gives exact restriction sequences of twisting sheaves on projective space, allowing computation of its sheaf cohomology. It need not be smooth or reduced.

A projective complete intersection defined by a regular sequence in a polynomial ring has pure codimension equal to the sequence length and has no embedded associated primes. Thus its components account for the whole degree, with their generic multiplicities. This fact excludes hidden embedded points when a contained curve already has the full intersection degree.

For a length-$r$ homogeneous regular sequence of positive degrees in ${\mathbb{P}}_k^N$, with $r<N$, the global regular functions on its projective complete intersection are exactly $k$. In the successive restriction sequences, intermediate cohomology vanishing for a projective complete intersection makes the first-cohomology group on the preceding stage zero. Inductively all negative twists have zero global sections, so at twist zero the restriction of constants is an isomorphism. The positive-dimension assumption is essential: a zero-dimensional complete intersection can have more global functions, including nilpotents.

For a length-$r$ projective complete intersection $X_r\subseteq {\mathbb{P}}_k^N$, the groups $H^q(X_r,{\mathcal{O}}_{X_r}(m))$ vanish for every integer $m$ and $0<q<N-r$. Starting with cohomology of twisting sheaves on projective space, induct through $0\to {\mathcal{O}}_{X_{j-1}}(m-d_j)\to {\mathcal{O}}_{X_{j-1}}(m)\to {\mathcal{O}}_{X_j}(m)\to 0$. Both adjacent groups in the long exact sequence in sheaf cohomology vanish precisely in the indicated range.