The virtual number of \(D_ \infty\) points. I (Q1813787)

Let \(f:(\mathbb{C}^{n+1},0)\to(\mathbb{C},0)\) be a germ of a holomorphic function with the following properties: (1) the singular locus \(\Sigma\) defined by the radical of the Jacobi ideal \(J(f)\) has dimension one; (2) \(f\) has only \(A_ \infty\) singularities on \(\Sigma-\{0\}\), i.e. there exist suitable local coordinates at a general point of \(\Sigma-\{0\}\) such that \(f(z_ 0,\ldots,z_ n)=z^ 2_ 1+\cdots+z^ 2_ n\). Let \(\tilde\Sigma\) be the normalization of \(\Sigma\), and \(\delta(\Sigma)=\dim_ C({\mathcal O}_{\tilde\Sigma}/{\mathcal O}_ \Sigma)\) be the \(\delta\)-invariant (genus) of the one-dimensional germ \(\Sigma\). Put \({\mathcal N}_ f=\{\partial\in\text{Der}({\mathcal O}_{\mathbb{C}^{n+1},0})\): \(\partial (f)=0\}\), \(\Theta(f)={\mathcal N}_{f\mid\Sigma}\). The author introduces a new numerical invariant of \(f\), \(VD_ \infty(f)=\dim_ \mathbb{C}(\text{Der}({\mathcal O}_{\tilde\Sigma})/\Theta(f))-3\delta(\Sigma)\) and calls it the virtual number of \(D_ \infty\) points. Assume that \(\Sigma\) is a germ of a complete intersection curve. According to \textit{R. Pellikaan} [see Hypersurface singularities and resolutions of Jacobi modules, Diss., Elinkwijk, Utrecht (1985)], there is an approximation \(f_ s\) of \(f\) over a smooth base \(S\) such that (i) \(f_ s\) has only \(A_ 1\) (Morse) singularities outside \(\Sigma_ S\), (ii) \(f_ s\) has only \(A_ \infty\) and \(D_ \infty\) singularities on \(\Sigma_ s\). (By definition, a \(D_ \infty\) singularity is the right equivalence class of \(f=z_ 0z^ 2_ 1+\cdots+z^ 2_ n)\). Analogously to the isolated singularity case the author suggests calling \(\{f_ s:s\in S\}\) a Morsification of the nonisolated singularity \(f\). If a Morsification for a given \(f\) exists then the virtual number of \(D_ \infty\) points is equal to the number of \(D_ \infty\) points occurring in a Morsification. But in general the virtual number of \(D_ \infty\) points can be negative. For instance, if \(f=xyz\) then \(VD_ \infty(f)=-2\), i.e. there does not exist a Morsification. Among other things the author states the main property of \(VD_ \infty(f)\), the continuity under deformation. Finally he obtains a formula for the Euler characteristic of the Milnor fibre of \(f\), partially generalizing a recent result of \textit{D. Siersma} [Topology Appl. 27, No. 1, 51-73 (1987; Zbl 0635.32006)]. [For Part II see the following review.].