Explicit non-Gorenstein R=T via rank bounds I: Deformation theory

Ribet has proven remarkable results about non-optimal levels of residually reducible Galois representations. We focus on a non-optimal level $N$ that is the product of two distinct primes and where the Galois deformation ring is not expected to be Gorenstein. We prove a Galois-theoretic criterion for the deformation ring to be as small as possible – that is, for there to be a unique newform of level $N$ with reducible residual representation. When this criterion is satisfied, we deduce an $R=\mathbb{T}$ theorem.