On curves on sandwiched surface singularities

Abstract

Fixed a point O on a non-singular surface S and a complete mO-primary ideal I in its local ring, the curves on the surface X obtained by blowing-up I are studied in terms of the base points of I. Criteria for the principality of these curves are obtained. New formulas for their multiplicity, intersection numbers and order of singularity at the singularities of X are given. The semigroup of branches going through a sandwiched singularity is effectively determined, too.