Sequences of quadratic transforms of a noetherian local domain (Q2415301)

Let $R$ be a Noetherian local domain. We denote by $M(R)$ its maximal ideal. A \textit{quadratic transform} of $R$ is a local $R$-algebra $R'=R[z^{-1}M(R)]_Q$, where $z\in M(R)\setminus(M(R))^2$, $Q$ is a prime ideal of $R[z^{-1}M(R)]$ such that $M(R)\subseteq Q$ and $R[z^{-1}M(R)]$ is the $R$-subalgebra of $R_z$ generated by the image of $R$ in $R_z$ and by the set $\{x/z; x\in M(R)\}$. \par Let $(R_i)_{i\geq 0}$ be an increasing sequence of Noetherian local rings such that $R_0=R$ and $R_i$ is a quadratic transform of $R_{i-1}$ for each integer $i\geq 1$, and let $S=\bigcup_{i\geq 0}R_i$. The following question is studied in this paper: Characterize the above sequences $(R_i)_{i\geq 0}$ for which $S$ is a valuation domain? \par As it is written in the abstract: ``These characterizations involve ideals of $S$ supported on the exceptional divisors along the sequence. Furthermore, the characterizations are improved remarkably when the Hilbert functions of the rings $(R_i)_{i\geq 0}$ stabilize along the sequence. We also give some examples to put our results in perspective.''