Math Seminars.

Sándor Kovács (University of Chicago),
Rational Singularities.


A new singularity class is introduced in arbitrary characteristic. In characteristic 0 these singularities are shown to be equivalent to rational singularities. As a corollary we obtain a very simple amd natural proof of Elkik's Theorem: log terminal singularities are rational. Connections with other flavors of rationality will also be discussed.