On the cohomology of regular differential forms and dualizing sheaves (Q4387067)

Let \(Y\) be an integral Noetherian scheme. Let \(f : X \rightarrow Y\) be a generically smooth, projective morphism, Cohen-Macaulay, equi-dimensional of relative dimension \(d\) and with geometrically connected fibres. Assume that \(X\) is reduced. Let \(\omega ^d_{X/Y}\) be the sheaf of relative regular differential forms. The aim of the paper is to study when the direct images of this sheaf are torsion-free. The question being local, it is assumed that \(Y = \text{Spec } D\) for some complete discrete valuation ring \(D\) with residue class field \(k\) algebraically closed and \(X = \text{Proj } S\) for some graded reduced \(D\)-algebra \(S\). The authors give a set of equivalent conditions for \(R^if_*\omega^d_{X/Y}\) to be torsion-free. Using them the following results are proved. (1) Suppose that \(X/Y\) is arithmetically \(S_{k+2}\) (Serre's condition). Then \(R^{d-i}f_*\omega^d_{X/Y}\) is torsion-free and commutes with base change for all \(i\leq k\). (2) If \(R^{d-i}f_*\omega^d_{X/Y}\) is torsion-free for all \(i\leq k\) then \(R^if_*{\mathcal O}_X\) is torsion-free for all \(i\leq k\). (3) Suppose that \(X/Y\) is globally a complete intersection. Then the sheaf \(R^if_*\omega^d_{X/Y}\) is torsion-free for all \(i\). (4) If \(X\) is a surface (i.e. \(d=1)\) then \(R^1f_*\omega ^1_{X/Y}\) is torsion-free if and only if there exists a graded Cohen-Macaulay algebra \(S/D\) such that \(X=\text{Proj }S\). Specialise now to the case of arithmetic surfaces. Thus \(D\) is further assumed to be a discrete valuation ring with quotient field of characteristic zero and residue field of positive characteristic, \(X\) is a regular scheme of dimension \(2\) and \(f\) is proper, flat and with connected fibres. Let \(X_y\) denote the special fibre of \(f\). Write \(X_y = \sum n_i F_i\), \(F_i\) being reduced and irreducible curves, \(n = \text{g.c.d.}(n_1,\cdots ,n_m)\). Theorem. With the above notations assume that \(p \nmid n\). (1) Then \(h^0(X,{\mathcal O}_{X_y}) = 1,\) and \(R^1f_*\omega ^1_{X/Y}\), \(R^1f_*{\mathcal O}_X\) are torsion-free. (2) Assume that \(X/Y\) is projective. Then there exists a graded Cohen- Macaulay algebra \(S/D\) such that \(X =\text{Proj} (S)\). Finally the authors examine the effects of base extension on \(R^1f_*{\mathcal O}_X\) and \(R^1f_*\omega ^1_{X/Y}\). \textit{J. Kollár} [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 123, 11-42 (1986; Zbl 0598.14015)] had shown that if \(X\) is a complex projective manifold and \(Y\) is a reduced variety then \(R^if_*\omega _X\) is torsion-free for all \(i\).