Explicit resolutions of double point singularities of surfaces. (Q1396454)

The paper gives a detailed analysis of the resolution of an isolated double point of a surface, i.e. an isolated singularity of multiplicity two of an algebraic surface. These double points are locally given by an equation \( z^2=f(x,y),\) where \(f\) is a square-free polynomial such that the curve \(f=0\) has a singular point at \((0,0)\). The paper explains and complements the papers by \textit{D. J. Dixon} [Pac. J. Math. 80, 105--117 (1979; Zbl 0422.14003)] and \textit{H. B. Laufer} [Isr. J. Math. 31, 315--334 (1978; Zbl 0415.14003)] on the same subject. The results of the paper are: 1. relations between the canonical and the minimal resolution of a double point, 2. relations and formulas for cycles connected to the resolution process: fundamental cycle and fiber cycle, 3. computations of conditions that a double point imposes to canonical and pluricanonical systems of a surface.