Gorenstein Threefold Singularities with Small Resolutions via Invariant Theory for Weyl Groups

Abstract

We classify simple flops on smooth threefolds, or equivalently, Gorenstein threefold singularities with irreducible small resolution. There are only six families of such singularities, distinguished by Koll{á}r's {\em length} invariant. The method is to apply invariant theory to Pinkham's construction of small resolutions. As a by-product, generators of the ring of invariants are given for the standard action of the Weyl group of each of the irreducible root systems.