Stability theorems for positively graded domains and a question of Lindel

Abstract: Given a commutative Noetherian graded domain $R = \bigoplus_{i\ge 0} R_i$ of dimension $d\geq 2$ with $\dim(R_0) \geq 1$, we prove that any unimodular row of length $d+1$ in $R$ can be completed to the first row of an invertible matrix $\alpha$ such that $\alpha$ is homotopic to the identity matrix. Utilizing this result we establish that if $I \subset R$ is an ideal satisfying $\mu(I/I^2) = \text{ht}(I) = d$, then any set of generators of $I/I^2$ lifts to a set of generators of $I$, where $\mu(-)$ denotes the minimal number of generators. Consequently, any projective $R$-module of rank $d$ with trivial determinant splits into a free factor of rank one. This provides an affirmative answer to an old question of Lindel. Finally, we prove that for any projective $R$-module $P$ of rank $d$, if the Quillen ideal of $P$ is non-zero, then $P$ is cancellative.