Test ideals of non-principal ideals: Computations, Jumping Numbers, Alterations and Division Theorems

Abstract

Given an ideal $a \subseteq R$ in a (log) $Q$-Gorenstein $F$-finite ring of characteristic $p > 0$, we study and provide a new perspective on the test ideal $\tau(R, a^t)$ for a real number $t > 0$. Generalizing a number of known results from the principal case, we show how to effectively compute the test ideal and also describe $\tau(R, a^t)$ using (regular) alterations with a formula analogous to that of multiplier ideals in characteristic zero. We further prove that the $F$-jumping numbers of $\tau(R, a^t)$ as $t$ varies are rational and have no limit points, including the important case where $R$ is a formal power series ring. Additionally, we obtain a global division theorem for test ideals related to results of Ein and Lazarsfeld from characteristic zero, and also recover a new proof of Skoda's theorem for test ideals which directly mimics the proof for multiplier ideals.