Relations between the 2x2 minors of a generic matrix

Abstract

We prove the case t = 2 of a conjecture of Bruns-Conca-Varbaro, describing the minimal relations between the t x t minors of a generic matrix. Interpreting these relations as polynomial functors, and applying transpose duality as in the work of Sam-Snowden, this problem is equivalent to understanding the relations satisfied by t x t generalized permanents. Our proof follows by combining Koszul homology calculations on the minors side, with a study of subspace varieties on the permanents side, and with the Kempf-Weyman technique (on both sides).