Complexity and rigidity of Ulrich modules, and some applications

We analyze whether Ulrich modules, not necessarily maximal CM (Cohen-Macaulay), can be used as test modules, which detect finite homological dimensions of modules. We prove that Ulrich modules over CM local rings have maximal complexity and curvature. Various new characterizations of local rings are provided in terms of Ulrich modules. We show that every Ulrich module of dimension $s$ over a local ring is $(s+1)$-Tor-rigid-test, but not $s$-Tor-rigid in general (where $s\geq 1$). Over a deformation of a CM local ring of minimal multiplicity, we also study Tor rigidity.