Isosingular loci of algebraic varieties (Q2154263)

Let \(X\) be a complex analytic variety and let \(p\in X\). The isosingular locus of \(X\) at \(p\) is: \[ \mathrm{Iso}(X,p)=\{q\in X: X_q\simeq X_p\}, \] where \(X_p\) and \(X_q\) denote the analytic germs of \(X\) at \(p\) and \(q\) [\textit{R. Ephraim}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 241, 357--371 (1978; Zbl 0395.32006)]. In the mentioned paper it is proven that \(\mathrm{Iso}(X,p)\) is locally closed and smooth as a (reduced) analytic subspace o \(X\). In addition, there exists a germ of an analytic space \(Y_y\) so that \(X_p\simeq Y_y\times \mathrm{Iso}(X,p)_p\), and so that there does not exist an isomorphism of germs \(Y_y\simeq Y_{y'}'\times {\mathbb C}_0\). In the present paper, the isosingular locus of an algebraic variety defined over an algebraically closed field is studied. In this setting, for \(x\in X\), \[ \mathrm{Iso}(X,x):=\{x'\in X: \widehat{X}_{x'}\simeq \widehat{X}_{x}\}, \] where \(\widehat{X}_{x}\) denotes the formal completion of \(X\) along the singleton \(\{x\}\). The following theorems are proven: \textbf{Theorem A.} Let \(X\) be an algebraic variety over an algebraically closed field \(k\). (1) For each \(x\in X(k)\) the subset \(\mathrm{Iso}(X,x)\) is locally closed in \(X(k)\) (endowed with the Zariski topology). (2) Denote by \(X^{(x)}\) the unique reduced subscheme of \(X\) whose \(k\)-points agree with \(\mathrm{Iso}(X,x)\). Then \(X^{(x)}\) is smooth. \textbf{Theorem B.} Let \(X\) be an algebraic variety over an algebraically closed field \(k\) of characteristic zero. For each \(x\in X(k)\) there exists a scheme \(Y\) of finite type over \(k\), a point \(y\in Y(k)\) and an isomorphism \[ \widehat{X}_{x}\simeq (\widehat{X^{(x)}})_x\times \widehat{Y}_{y}, \] such that \(\widehat{Y}_{y}\) has no smooth factors, that is, there does not exist an isomorphism \(\widehat{Y}_{y}\simeq \widehat{Z}_{z}\times \widehat{({\mathbb A}^1)}_0\). The assertion of Theorem B fails in positive characteristic. An example is provided.