The geometric minimal models of analytic spaces (Q697312)

A two-dimensional singularity has a minimal resolution, i.e., a smooth birational model through which every other resolution factors. Direct generalizations of this statement are false in higher dimensions. The paper under review addresses this high dimensional case: it is proved that an analytic space \(X\) of any dimension has a ``maximal model'' through which every proper surjective morphism from a non-singular analytic space to \(X\) factors. This is called the geometric minimal model of \(X\). E.g., the geometric minimal model of a toric variety is itself. The authors show that the geometric minimal model is characterized by the contraction property of rational curves. Functoriality, the direct product property and the quotient property of geometric minimal models are studied, as well as the relation with Mori's minimal models.