On direct images of twisted pluricanonical sheaves on normal varieties

Abstract

We study the depth properties of certain direct image sheaves on normal varieties. Let $f: Y\rightarrow X$ be a proper morphism of relative dimension $d$ from a smooth variety onto a normal variety such that the preimage $E$ of the singular locus of $X$ is a divisor. We show that for any integer $m>0$, the higher direct image $R^df_*\omega^{\otimes m}_Y(aE)$ modulo the torsion subsheaf is $S_2$, provided that $a$ is sufficiently large. In case $f$ is birational, we give criteria on $a$ for the direct image $f_*\omega_Y(aE)$ to coincide with $\omega_X$. We also introduce an index measuring the singularities of normal varieties.