Torsion in differentials and Berger's conjecture (Q2242598)

Let \(k\) be an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero and let \((R, \mathfrak{m}_{R}, k)\) be an equicharacteristic reduced one-dimensional complete local \(k\)-algebra. \textit{R. Berger} [Math. Z. 81, 326--354 (1963; Zbl 0113.26302)] conjectured that the universally finite module of differentials \(\Omega_{R}\) is torsion-free if and only if \(R\) is regular. It is known that if \(R\) is regular, then \(\Omega_{R}\) is free, so the conjecture can be formulated as follows: \(\Omega_{R}\) is torsion-free if and only if it is a free \(R\)-module. A summary of many results obtained via various approaches to the conjecture can be found in [\textit{R. W. Berger}, in: Algebraic geometry and its applications. Collections of papers from Shreeram S. Abhyankar's 60th birthday conference held at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, June 1-4, 1990. New York: Springer-Verlag. 285--303 (1994; Zbl 0808.13008)]. The paper under review extends the results of [\textit{K. Güttes}, Arch. Math. 54, No. 5, 499--510 (1990; Zbl 0728.13011)] and [\textit{G. Cortiñas} et al., Math. Z. 228, No. 3, 569--588 (1998; Zbl 0907.13014)] by giving new cases in which the conjecture is true. The main result of the paper states that with the above notation and conditions, if \((R, \mathfrak{m}_{R}, k)\) is a domain, \(x\) is a minimal reduction in \(\mathfrak{m}_{R}\), \(\mathfrak{C}_{R}\) is the conductor ideal of \(R\) in its integral closure, \(n = edim R\) (the embedding dimension of \(R\)), and \(s(R)= \dim_{k}\frac{(\mathfrak{C}_{R}, x)}{(x)}\) is the ``reduced type'' of \(R\), then the Berger's conjecture is true in the following cases: (1) \(\mathfrak{m}_{R}^{4}\subseteq (\mathfrak{C}_{R}, x)\) and \(2\cdot s(R)\leq n(n-3)\); (2) \(\mathfrak{m}_{R}^{6}\subseteq (x)\), \(n\geq 6\) and \(R\) is Gorenstein.