Connections on modules over singularities of finite CM representation type

Abstract

Let A be a commutative k-algebra, where k is an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0, and let M be an A-module. We consider the following question: Under what conditions on A and M is it possible to find a connection on M? We consider maximal Cohen-Macaulay (MCM) modules over complete CM algebras that are isolated singularities, and usually assume that the singularities have finite CM representation type. It is known that over a simple singularity of dimension at most two, any MCM module admits an integrable connection. We prove that over a simple singularity of dimension at least three, an MCM module admits connections if and only if it is free. Among singularities of finite CM representation type, we find examples of curves with MCM modules that do not admit connections, and threefolds with non-free MCM modules that do admit connections. Let A be a singularity not necessarily of finite CM representation type, and consider the condition that A is a Gorenstein curve or a Q-Gorenstein singularity of dimension at least two. We show that this condition is sufficient for the canonical module of A to admit an integrable connection, and conjecture that it is also necessary. In support of the conjecture, we show that if A is a monomial curve singularity, then the canonical module of A admits an integrable connection if and only if A is Gorenstein.