$K$-theory of cones of smooth varieties

Abstract

Let $R$ be the homogeneous coordinate ring of a smooth projective variety $X$ over a field $\k$ of characteristic~0. We calculate the $K$-theory of $R$ in terms of the geometry of the projective embedding of $X$. In particular, if $X$ is a curve then we calculate $K_0(R)$ and $K_1(R)$, and prove that $K_{-1}(R)=\oplus H^1(C,\cO(n))$. The formula for $K_0(R)$ involves the Zariski cohomology of twisted K\"ahler differentials on the variety.