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Let $X$ be a smooth variety in char. 0. Let us call a $D$-module on $X$ constant, if it is isomorphic to a finite direct sum of the $D$-modules $O$ (the sheaf of regular functions with the usual $D$-module structure). Then a subquotient of a constant $D$-module should be constant. But how to show it? The reason why it should be true is that Riemann-Hilbert correspondence (when over the complex numbers) translates as to representations of a the fundamental group, and there such a statement is trivial.

Thanks, Sasha

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up vote 8 down vote accepted

If your base field $k$ is algebraically closed (or if $X$ has a rational point), then this follows directly from the fact that the category of $\mathcal{O}_X$-coherent flat connections is neutral Tannakian, i.e. equivalent to the category of finite dimensional $k$-representations of some affine $k$-group scheme $G$. For this fact the Riemann-Hilbert correspondence is not needed, it just gives you additional information about $G$.

Here is a more direct argument: If $E$ is a $D$-module which is coherent as an $\mathcal{O}_X$-module, then $E$ is automatically locally free. In particular, if $E$ is a sub $D$-module of the "constant" $D$-module $\mathcal{O}_X^n$, then the short exact sequence of $D$-modules

$$0\rightarrow E \rightarrow \mathcal{O}^n_X \rightarrow \mathcal{O}^n_X/E\rightarrow 0$$ is locally split as a sequence of $\mathcal{O}_X$-modules.

We see that if $n=1$, then $E=0$ or $E=\mathcal{O}_X$. We proceed by induction.

Since a $D$-module is trivial if and only if there exists a dense open subset of $X$ on which it is trivial, we may work in the local ring of a closed point $x\in X$ (lets assume $X$ to be connected…).

If $e_1,\ldots, e_n$ is a horizontal basis, then the horizontal sections of $\mathcal{O}_X^n$ are precisely those sections which are in the $k$-span of $e_1,\ldots, e_n$. The group of $D$-automorphisms of $\mathcal{O}_X^n$ then identifies with $GL_n(k)$. Thus if $E$ contains a horizontal section, we are done by induction. The case $n=1$ implies that if $E\cap e_i\mathcal{O}_X\neq 0$ for some $i$, then $e_i\in E$. If $f_1e_1+\ldots+f_n e_n$ is a section of $E$, which is not horizontal, then some $f_i\in \mathcal{O}_{X,x}$ is nonconstant, say $f_1$. One finds a differential operator $\partial$, such that $\partial(f_1)\in \mathcal{O}_{X,x}^\times$, and concludes that $E$ intersects the $\mathcal{O}_X$-span of $e_2,\ldots, e_n$ nontrivially. Hence, either $e_1\in E$, or $E\subset \bigoplus_{i\geq 2} e_i\mathcal{O}_X$, and in both cases we are done.

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Suppose that $E\subset\mathcal O_X^n=V\otimes\mathcal O_X$, where $V$ is a finite-dimensional vector space, is a D-module. It is well known that both $E$ and $V\otimes\mathcal O_X/E$, being both D-modules and coherent $\mathcal O_X$-modules, must be locally free. Hence, if $\mathrm{rank}E=k$, there exists a morphism $f\colon X\to G(k,V)$ (the Grassmann variety) s.t. $f^*S\cong E$, where $S$ is the tautological subbundle. Since the subsheaf $E\subset V\otimes\mathcal O_X$ is mapped into itself by vector fields on $X$ (i.e., local derivations of $\mathcal O_X$), the derivative of the morphism $f$ is identically zero. Sionce characteristic is $0$, it follows that the mapping $f$ is constant, whence $E=f^*S$ is constant

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Thank you for the answer; I did not understand your final conclusion, that $E$ is constant. You got that $E$ is constant as an $O$-module, but what about the $D$-module structure? – Sasha Mar 5 '13 at 9:25
The D-module structure is inherited from the constant D-module $V\otimes\mathcal O_X$. Actually, it means that there exists a $k$-dimensional linear subspace $F\subet V$ s.t. $E$ is the sheaf of $F$-valued functions, and derivations action on these functions by differentiating, as they act on local sections of $V\otimes \mathcal O_X$. – Serge Lvovski Mar 5 '13 at 13:25
Thank you, now I understand. – Sasha Mar 5 '13 at 14:30

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