Regular local rings essentially of finite type over fields of prime characteristic (Q858740)

Let \(R\) be a local ring essentially of finite type over a field of characteristic \(p > 0\). We have a necessary and sufficient condition for \(R\) to be regular by using \(p\)-bases if \(R\) is generically reduced. In [J. Algebra 247, No. 1, 219--230 (2002; Zbl 1050.13011)], the authors introduced a new notion: \(p^n\)-bases and characterized the regularity of \(R\) by using \(p^n\)-bases without assuming that \(R\) is generically reduced. That is, \(R\) is regular if and only if there is a \(p^n\)-basis of \(R/R^{p^n}\) for all positive integers \(n\). Unfortunately we must check infinitely many conditions to use this criterion. The main theorem of the present paper is a refinement of this criterion. The authors show that \(R\) is regular if there is a \(p^n\)-basis of \(R/R^{p^n}\) for a sufficiently large \(n\). This paper also contains a refinement of \textit{U. Orbanz}'s criterion [J. Reine Angew. Math. 262/263, 194--204 (1973; Zbl 0309.13003)] of regularity using higher differential algebra.