Global algebraic linear differential operators

Abstract

In this note, we want to investigate the question, given a projective algebraic scheme X/k and coherent sheaves F, E on X, when do global differential operators of order N greater than zero, between E and F exist. We investigate in particular the case of projective n-space and prove that for large N always global differential operators between E and F exist. We also show that the dimension of global operators of order N grows like a polynomial in N of degree 2n. Finally, we define algebraic elliptic operators in the classical sense and show that for "most" algebraic smooth complete varieties, they do not exist on locally free sheaves.