Log smoothness and polystability over valuation rings

Abstract

Let $\mathcal{O}$ be a valuation ring of height one of residual characteristic exponent $p$ and with algebraically closed field of fractions. Our main result provides a best possible resolution of the monoidal structure $M_X$ of a log variety $X$ over $\calO$ with a vertical log structure: there exists a log modification $Y\to X$ such that the monoidal structure of $Y$ is polystable. In particular, if $X$ is log smooth over $\mathcal{O}$, then $Y$ is polystable with a smooth generic fiber. As a corollary we deduce that any variety over $\mathcal{O}$ possesses a polystable alteration of degreee $p^n$. The core of our proof is a subdivision result for polyhedral complexes satisfying certain rationality conditions.