A Leray Model for the Orlik–Solomon Algebra

Abstract

Abstract We construct a combinatorial generalization of the Leray models for hyperplane arrangement complements. Given a matroid and some combinatorial blow-up data, we give a presentation for a bigraded (commutative) differential graded algebra. If the matroid is realizable over $\mathbb {C}$, this is the familiar Morgan model for a hyperplane arrangement complement, embedded in a blowup of projective space. In general, we obtain a cdga that interpolates between the Chow ring of a matroid and the Orlik–Solomon algebra. Our construction can also be expressed in terms of sheaves on combinatorial blowups of geometric lattices. As a key technical device, we construct a monomial basis via a Gröbner basis for the ideal of relations. Combining these ingredients, we show that our algebra is quasi-isomorphic to the classical Orlik–Solomon algebra of the matroid.