The homology of parameter ideals

For a Noetherian local ring, we analyze conjectural relationships between the first Hilbert coefficient of a parameter ideal and the first partial Euler characteristic of its Koszul complex. Given their similar role as predictors of the Cohen–Macaulay property, we consider a direct comparison between them. For parameter ideals generated by d-sequences these numbers are related in an explicit formula. We then turn to study of families of parameter ideals that have the same Hilbert function.