Alternative Invariants for the Embedded Resolution of Purely Inseparable Surface Singularities

Abstract

The article investigates the behaviour of the characteristic zero resolution invariant when transcribed suitably to the case of surfaces in positive characteristic. By Moh's jumping phenomenon -- or the occurrence of kangaroo singularities -- one knows that the invariant may increase, thus destroying any induction. We describe in the paper how one can modify in the purely inseparable surface case the invariant by adding a subtle correction term so as to prohibit its occasional increases and to establish the induction argument again.