Transcendental Epsilon Multiplicity via Divisor Volumes

Abstract

We prove that epsilon multiplicity can take transcendental values. The main structural result is a one-ideal formula for section rings: under natural positivity hypotheses, the epsilon multiplicity of an ideal generated in one degree is equal to an integral of a divisor-volume function. This formula transports an asymptotic colength invariant of ideals to the geometry and arithmetic of divisor volumes. To produce a transcendental value, we combine the formula with a shifted projective-bundle construction inspired by Bornträger and Nickel. The shift places the construction in the positivity range required by the one-ideal formula while preserving the underlying disk geometry of the volume computation. Reversing the order of integration reduces the resulting integral to three integrals of rational functions. Their arctangent terms cancel exactly, whereas the remaining real logarithms form an explicit algebraic linear combination whose value is positive. Baker's theorem then implies transcendence. Consequently, there exists a homogeneous ideal in a normal standard graded domain whose epsilon multiplicity is transcendental.