Second Chern class and Riemann-Roch for vector bundles on resolutions of surface singularities (Q1318049)

For a rank 2 vector bundle \({\mathcal F}\) on a resolution \((\tilde X,E) \to(X,0)\) of a normal complex surface singularity, we offer a definition of a ``natural'' second Chern class \(c_ 2({\mathcal F}) \in H^ 4(\tilde X,\partial \tilde X;\mathbb{R})=\mathbb{R}\); it is the infimum of some relative second Chern classes on generically finite covers \(\tilde Y \to \tilde X\), and is motivated by calculations with rank 2 vector bundles on curves. Its main properties are developed, as well as its calculation in some cases. Using it, one may define for \({\mathcal F}'\) a rank 2 bundle on \(X-\{0\}\) a natural invariant \(c_ 2({\mathcal F}')\in \mathbb{R}/ \mathbb{Z}\). Via the finite-dimensional ``Euler characteristic'' \(\chi'\) of a vector bundle on \(\tilde X\), the main conjecture is a Riemann-Roch formula \[ \chi' (S^ n{\mathcal F})=(-n^ 3/6)(c_ 1({\mathcal F})^ 2-c_ 2( {\mathcal F}))+O(n^ 2), \] which is proved in many cases. A key theorem is proved for \(X=\mathbb{C}^ 2/G\), \({\mathcal F}=\Omega^ 1_{\tilde X} (\log E)\); then, each piece of the Euler characteristic may be computed separately, using Molien's theorem in invariant theory. The paper is inspired by work of Y. Miyaoka, who proved the last theorem via global methods, and whose work showed the need for introducing a \(c_ 2({\mathcal F})\).