Partial desingularization (Q7009925)

Let \(X\) be an algebraic variety defined over a field \(k\). We say that \(X\) has \textit{simple normal crossings of order \(k\) at a point \(a\in X\)} if there is a local embedding in some smooth variety \(Z\) and a regular system of parameters \(x_1,\ldots, x_n\in {\mathcal O}_{Z,a}\) such that \(X\) is locally defined by \N\[\Nx_1\cdots x_k=0. \tag{1}\N\]\NAn algebraic (or analytic) variety \(X\) has \textit{normal crossings of order \(k\) at \(a\in X\)} if the previous condition holds for an étale, local analytic, or formal system of coordinates. The set \(X^{\text{nc}}\) refers to the set of points of \(X\) having only normal crossing singularities.\N\NA smooth blow-up with center \(C\) is \textit{admissible}, if, locally, there are regular coordinates with respect to which \(C\) is a coordinate subspace and each component of the exceptional divisor E is a coordinate hypersurface.\N\NThe main results of this paper are motivated by the following question: suppose \(X\) is a variety defined over a field of characteristic zero, is it possible to find a sequence of blow-ups \(\sigma: X'\to X\) such that \(\sigma\) preserves \(X^{\text{nc}}\) and \(X'\) has only normal crossings singularities? The answer to this question is yes for simple normal crossings (as proved in previous papers by some of the authors of this), but, in general, no for normal crossings, the Withney umbrella being a counter-example.\N\NThe authors approach the previous question relaxing the output, allowing \(X'\) have \textit{mild singularities} that they refer to as \textit{minimal singularities} and that are described in the paper defined using the determinants of circulant matrices (they do not coincide, in general, with the singularities from the minimal model program). More precisely, the following theorems are proven:\N\N{Theorem.} Let \(X\) be an algebraic or analytic variety of dimension \(\leq 4\) defined over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. Then there is a finite composite of smooth admissible blow-ups, \(\sigma: X'\to X\), that preserves \(X^{\text{nc}}\) and such that \(X'\) has only minimal singularities.\N\N{Theorem.} Let \(X\) be an algebraic or analytic variety defined over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. There there is a finite composite of admissible smooth blow-ups, \(\sigma: X'\to X\), that preserves the set of points where \(X\) has normal crossings of order at most 3, and such that \(X'\) has only minimal singularities.