Bounding symbolic powers via asymptotic multiplier ideals

Abstract

We revisit a bound on symbolic powers found by Ein-Lazarsfeld-Smith and subsequently improved by Takagi-Yoshida. We show that the original argument of Ein-Lazarsfeld-Smith actually gives the same improvement. On the other hand, we show by examples that any further improvement based on the same technique appears unlikely. This is primarily an exposition; only some examples and remarks might be new.Comment: 10 pages. Primarily exposition. Originally written as appendix to lecture notes by Brian Harbourne. v2: Minor changes. v3: Final version, appeared in Ann. Univ. Pedagog. Crac. Stud. Mat