On the discreteness and rationality of \(F\)-jumping coefficients (Q2654063)

Given a ring \(R\) in characteristic \(p > 0\), a non-zero element \(f \subseteq R\) and a real number \(t \geq 0\), one can form the test ideal \(\tau(R, f^t)\) which is an ideal that measures both the singularities of \(R\) and \(R/f\). As \(t\) varies, these test ideals change, and the \(t\) at which the test ideal change are called \textit{\(F\)-jumping numbers} or \textit{\(F\)-thresholds}. Because these test ideals are closely related to multiplier ideals, it is hoped that these jumping numbers behave in a similarly to the jumping number of multiplier ideals (ie, are discrete and rational). In [\textit{M. Blickle, M. Mustata, K. E. Smith}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 361, No. 12, 6549--6565 (2009; Zbl 1193.13003)], it was shown that these numbers are discrete and rational under the assumption that \(R\) is regular and \(F\)-finite (and thus excellent). In the paper under review, the authors prove a generalization. They show that the \(F\)-jumping numbers are discrete and rational if \(R\) is a regular local (but possibly not \(F\)-finite) ring. The methods in this paper have some similarity to those of the aforementioned paper but on a key point they differ, this paper does not rely on the theory of \(D\)-modules. Also compare with [\textit{M. Blickle, M. Mustata, K. E. Smith}, Mich. Math. J. 57, 43--61 (2008; Zbl 1177.13013)].