On nearly smooth complex spaces (Q2633136)

A complex space \(M\) is called nearly smooth if it is normal and if for every point \(x\) in \(M\) there exists an open neighbourhood \(M'\) of \(x\) and a proper, finite and surjective holomorphic map \(q: \tilde{M}'\rightarrow M'\) from a connected complex manifold \(M'\). For instance, any complex space having only quotient singularities is a nearly smooth complex space. In the paper under review, the authors generalize the notion of a fundamental class for an analytic cycle and also the notion of a relative fundamental class for an analytic family of cycles to nearly smooth complex spaces. Moreover, the authors establish a geometric intersection theory for analytic cycles in a nearly smooth complex space that is compatible with the smooth case. Since the category of nearly smooth complex spaces is larger than the category of complex manifolds, the proper intersection of two cycles with positive integral coefficients in a nearly smooth complex space may have rational coefficients.