Singularités rationnelles et quotients par les groupes réductifs. (Rational singularities and quotients by reductive groups) (Q1089405)

A ring homomorphism \(A\to A'\) is called pure, if the map \(M\to A'\otimes_ AM\) is injective for every A-module M. A morphism of affine schemes is pure, if so is the corresponding homomorphism of rings. In terms of a resolution \(Z\to X\) of singularities, one defines the notion of rational singularities. Theorem. Let X'\(\to X\) be a pure morphism of affine schemes. Then if X' has rational singularities, then so does X. This implies that quotient spaces of algebraic actions of algebraic reductive groups (over fields of zero characteristic) on affine scheme with rational singularities have rational singularities. This generalizes a few previous results.