Equations of 2-linear ideals and arithmetical rank

Abstract

In this paper we consider reduced homogeneous ideals $\Jcal\subset S$ of a polynomial ring $S$, having a 2-linear resolution. 1. We study systems of generators of $\Jcal\subset S$. 2. We compute the arithmetical rank for a large class of projective curves having a 2-linear resolution. 3. We show that the fiber cone $\proj \Fcal(I_{\Lcal})$ of a lattice ideal $I_{\Lcal}$ of codimension two is a set theoretical complete intersection.