On the Linearity of Squarefree Powers of Edge Ideals

Abstract

Let $G$ be a graph and $I(G)$ its edge ideal. The $p$-th squarefree power $I(G)^{[p]}$ is the monomial ideal generated by squarefree monomials corresponding to the matchings of size $p$ of $G$. In this paper, we provide a combinatorial characterization of when $I(G)^{[p]}$ is linearly related, i.e., when its first syzygy module is generated by linear forms. Moreover, for a $1$-dimensional flag simplicial complex $Δ$ and its Stanley-Reisner ideal $I_Δ$, which arises as the edge ideal of the complement graph of $Δ$, we describe the shape of the Betti table of $I_Δ^{[p]}$ and we give a combinatorial characterization of when $I_Δ^{[p]}$ has a linear resolution.