Du Val singularity explained
In algebraic geometry, a Du Val singularity, also called simple surface singularity, Kleinian singularity, or rational double point, is an isolated singularity of a complex surface which is modeled on a double branched cover of the plane, with minimal resolution obtained by replacing the singular point with a tree of smooth rational curves, with intersection pattern dual to a Dynkin diagram of A-D-E singularity type. They are the canonical singularities (or, equivalently, rational Gorenstein singularities) in dimension 2. They were studied by Patrick du Val[1] [2] [3] and Felix Klein.
The Du Val singularities also appear as quotients of
by a finite subgroup of
SL2
; equivalently, a finite subgroup of
SU(2), which are known as binary polyhedral groups.
[4] The rings of
invariant polynomials of these finite group actions were computed by Klein, and are essentially the coordinate rings of the singularities; this is a classic result in
invariant theory.
[5] [6] Classification
The possible Du Val singularities are (up to analytical isomorphism):
Dn: w2+y(x2+yn-2)=0 (n\ge4)
See also
Notes and References
- Patrick. du Val. Patrick du Val. On isolated singularities of surfaces which do not affect the conditions of adjunction, Entry I. Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. 30. 1934a. 453–459. 10.1017/S030500410001269X. 4. 251095858 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220509161614/https://zbmath.org/?q=an%3A0010.17602. 9 May 2022.
- Patrick. du Val. Patrick du Val. On isolated singularities of surfaces which do not affect the conditions of adjunction, Entry II. Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. 30. 1934b. 460–465. 10.1017/S0305004100012706. 4. 197459819. https://web.archive.org/web/20220513091059/https://zbmath.org/?q=an%3A0010.17603. 13 May 2022.
- Patrick. du Val. Patrick du Val. On isolated singularities of surfaces which do not affect the conditions of adjunction, Entry III. Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. 30. 1934c. 483–491. 10.1017/S030500410001272X. 4. 251095521 . 9 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220509164515/https://zbmath.org/?q=an%3A0010.17701.
- Book: Barth. Wolf P.. Hulek. Klaus. Peters. Chris A.M.. Van de Ven. Antonius. Compact Complex Surfaces. 197–200. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. Ergebnisse der Mathematik und ihre Grenzbereiche. 3. Teil (Results of mathematics and their border areas. 3rd Part). 642357691. 978-3-540-00832-3. 2030225. 2004. 4. 2022-05-09. 2022-05-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20220509164511/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Compact_Complex_Surfaces/LtWDVZxiK6EC?hl=en. live.
- Artin . Michael. Michael Artin. On isolated rational singularities of surfaces. 2373050. 0199191. 1966. American Journal of Mathematics. 0002-9327. 88. 129–136. 10.2307/2373050. 1.
- Durfee . Alan H. . 1979 . Fifteen characterizations of rational double points and simple critical points . . IIe Série . . 25 . 1 . 131–163 . 10.5169/seals-50375 . 0013-8584 . 543555 . 2022-05-09 . 2022-05-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220509163159/https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=ens-001:1979:25::59#300 . live .