Pull-back Morphisms for Reflexive Differential Forms

Abstract

Let f : X -> Y be a morphism between normal complex varieties, and assume that Y is Kawamata log terminal. Given any differential form, defined on the smooth locus of Y, we construct a "pull-back form" on X. The pull-back map obtained by this construction is O_Y-linear, uniquely determined by natural universal properties and exists even in cases where the image of f is entirely contained in the singular locus of the target variety Y. One relevant setting covered by the construction is that where f is the inclusion (or normalisation) of the singular locus of Y. As an immediate corollary, we show that differential forms defined on the smooth locus of Y induce forms on every stratum of the singularity stratification. The same result also holds for many Whitney stratifications.