Normalization of Rings

We present a new algorithm to compute the integral closure of a reduced Noetherian ring in its total ring of fractions. A modification, applicable in positive characteristic, where actually all computations are over the original ring, is also described. The new algorithm of this paper has been implemented in Singular, for localizations of affine rings with respect to arbitrary monomial orderings. Benchmark tests show that it is in general much faster than any other implementation of normalization algorithms known to us.Comment: Final version, to be published in JSC 201

Local analysis of Grauert-Remmert-type normalization algorithms

Normalization is a fundamental ring-theoretic operation; geometrically it resolves singularities in codimension one. Existing algorithmic methods for computing the normalization rely on a common recipe: successively enlarge the given ring in form an endomorphism ring of a certain (fractional) ideal until the process becomes stationary. While Vasconcelos' method uses the dual Jacobian ideal, Grauert-Remmert-type algorithms rely on so-called test ideals. For algebraic varieties, one can apply such normalization algorithms globally, locally, or formal analytically at all points of the variety. In this paper, we relate the number of iterations for global Grauert-Remmert-type normalization algorithms to that of its local descendants. We complement our results by an explicit study of ADE singularities. This includes the description of the normalization process in terms of value semigroups of curves. It turns out that the intermediate steps produce only ADE singularities and simple space curve singularities from the list of Fruehbis-Krueger.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figure

Parallel algorithms for normalization

Given a reduced affine algebra A over a perfect field K, we present parallel algorithms to compute the normalization \bar{A} of A. Our starting point is the algorithm of Greuel, Laplagne, and Seelisch, which is an improvement of de Jong's algorithm. First, we propose to stratify the singular locus Sing(A) in a way which is compatible with normalization, apply a local version of the normalization algorithm at each stratum, and find \bar{A} by putting the local results together. Second, in the case where K = Q is the field of rationals, we propose modular versions of the global and local-to-global algorithms. We have implemented our algorithms in the computer algebra system SINGULAR and compare their performance with that of the algorithm of Greuel, Laplagne, and Seelisch. In the case where K = Q, we also discuss the use of modular computations of Groebner bases, radicals, and primary decompositions. We point out that in most examples, the new algorithms outperform the algorithm of Greuel, Laplagne, and Seelisch by far, even if we do not run them in parallel.Comment: 19 page

Non-commutative crepant resolutions: scenes from categorical geometry

Non-commutative crepant resolutions are algebraic objects defined by Van den Bergh to realize an equivalence of derived categories in birational geometry. They are motivated by tilting theory, the McKay correspondence, and the minimal model program, and have applications to string theory and representation theory. In this expository article I situate Van den Bergh's definition within these contexts and describe some of the current research in the area.Comment: 57 pages; final version, to appear in "Progress in Commutative Algebra: Ring Theory, Homology, and Decompositions" (Sean Sather-Wagstaff, Christopher Francisco, Lee Klingler, and Janet Vassilev, eds.), De Gruyter. Incorporates many small bugfixes and adjustments addressing comments from the referee and other