Algebraic sets defined by the commutator matrix

Abstract

In this paper we study algebraic sets of pairs of matrices defined by the vanishing of either the diagonal of their commutator matrix or its anti-diagonal. We find a system of parameters for the coordinate rings of these two sets and their intersection and show that they are complete intersections. Moreover, we prove that these algebraic sets are $F$-pure over a field of positive prime characteristic and the algebraic set of pairs of matrices with the zero diagonal commutator is $F$-regular.