Rigidity dimension - a homological dimension measuring resolutions of algebras by algebras of finite global dimension

A new homological dimension is introduced to measure the quality of resolutions of `singular' finite dimensional algebras (of infinite global dimension) by `regular' ones (of finite global dimension). Upper bounds are established in terms of extensions and of Hochschild cohomology, and finiteness in general is derived from homological conjectures. Then invariance under stable equivalences is shown to hold, with some exceptions when there are nodes in case of additive equivalences, and without exceptions in case of triangulated equivalences. Stable equivalences of Morita type and derived equivalences, both between self-injective algebras, are shown to preserve rigidity dimension as well.