Centers of \(F\)-purity (Q974669)

Let \(R\) be a Noetherian excellent ring of positive characteristic \(p\), where \(p\) is prime. The paper under review introduces, in positive characteristic, the notion of a center of \(F\)-purity for a pair \((X=\text{Spec}(R), \Delta)\) that is analogous to the zero characteristic notion of a center of log canonicity for a pair \((X, \Delta)\), where \(X\) is a normal affine scheme and \(\Delta\) an effective \(\mathbb{Q}\)-divisor on it. In fact, the author develops the theory for the context of triples \((R, \Delta, \mathfrak{a}_{\bullet})\), where \(R\) is a ring as above (normal when \(\Delta \neq 0\)), \(\Delta\) an effective \(\mathbb{R}\)-divisor and \(\mathfrak{a}_{\bullet}\) a graded system of ideals that satisfy some natural conditions with regard to \(R\). The author defines the concept of sharply \(F\)-pure and strong \(F\)-regular triples, which extends his earlier work [Math. Res. Lett. 15, No. 5-6, 1251--1261 (2008; Zbl 1185.13010)], the notion of big test ideal for triples, and proves basic results on them. The core of the paper consists of the theory of ideals of \(R\) that are \((\Delta, \mathfrak{a}_{\bullet}, F)\)-compatible. This notion is related to that of \(F\)-compatible ideals of \textit{V. B. Mehta} and \textit{A. Ramanathan} [Ann. Math. (2) 122(1), 27--40 (1985; Zbl 0601.14043)] and leads naturally to the concept of centers of (sharp) \(F\)-purity which are the characteristic zero analog of centers of log canonicity. Important results connected to the work of \textit{G. Lyubeznik} and \textit{K. E. Smith} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 353, No. 8, 3149--3180 (2001; Zbl 0977.13002) (electronic)] on one hand and to work of \textit{I. M. Aberbach} and \textit{F. Enescu} [Math. Z. 250, No. 4, 791--806 (2005; Zbl 1102.13001)] on the other hand are developed. Also, finiteness results on uniformly \(F\)-compatible ideals and centers of \(F\)-purity inspired by work of \textit{F. Enescu} and \textit{M. Hochster} [Algebra Number Theory 2, No. 7, 721--754 (2008; Zbl 1190.13003)], and \textit{R. Y. Sharp} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 359, No. 9, 4237--4258 (2007; Zbl 1130.13002) (electronic)] are obtained. Relations to big test ideals, multiplier ideals, and local geometric properties of the centers of \(F\)-purity are pursued in the final two sections of the paper.