On the analytical invariance of the semigroups of a quasi-ordinary hypersurface singularity

We associate to any irreducible germ S of complex quasi-ordinary hypersurface an analytically invariant semigroup. We deduce a direct proof (without passing through their embedded topological invariance) of the analytical invariance of the normalized characteristic exponents. These exponents generalize the generic Newton-Puiseux exponents of plane curves. Incidentally, we give a toric description of the normalization morphism of the germ S.Comment: 29 page

From singularities to graphs

In this paper I analyze the problems which led to the introduction of graphs as tools for studying surface singularities. I explain how such graphs were initially only described using words, but that several questions made it necessary to draw them, leading to the elaboration of a special calculus with graphs. This is a non-technical paper intended to be readable both by mathematicians and philosophers or historians of mathematics.Comment: 23 pages, 27 figures. Expanded version of the talk given at the conference "Quand la forme devient substance : puissance des gestes, intuition diagrammatique et ph\'enom\'enologie de l'espace", which took place at Lyc\'ee Henri IV in Paris from 25 to 27 January 201