Rational curves and rational singularities (Q1407786)

The paper gives a rationality criterion for isolated singular points of complex normal affine algebraic surfaces admitting a \(\mathbb C^*\)-action, via the existence of rational curves which do not pass through the singular point. The authors provide a number of refinements and generalizations of the criterion, as well as a nice explanation of the classical Schwartz-Halphen theorem of polynomial solutions of the generalized Fermat equation.