The Leray Dimension of a Convex Code

Convex codes were recently introduced as models for neural codes in the brain. Any convex code $\C$ has an associated minimal embedding dimension $d(\C)$, which is the minimal Euclidean space dimension such that the code can be realized by a collection of convex open sets. In this work we import tools from combinatorial commutative algebra in order to obtain better bounds on $d(\C)$ from an associated simplicial complex $\Delta(\C)$. In particular, we make a connection to minimal free resolutions of Stanley-Reisner ideals, and observe that they contain topological information that provides stronger bounds on $d(\C)$. This motivates us to define the Leray dimension $d_L(\C),$ and show that it can be obtained from the Betti numbers of such a minimal free resolution. We compare $d_L(\C)$ to two previously studied dimension bounds, obtained from Helly's theorem and the simplicial homology of $\Delta(\C)$. Finally, we show explicitly how $d_L(\C)$ can be computed algebraically, and illustrate this with examples.