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.

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.