Another proof of the end curve theorem for normal surface singularities

Abstract

Neumann and Wahl introduced the notion of splice-quotient singularities, which is a broad generalization of quasihomogeneous singularities with rational homology sphere links, and proved the End Curve Theorem that characterizes splice-quotient singularities. The purpose of this paper is to give another proof of the End Curve Theorem. We use combinatorics of “monomial cycles” and some basic ring theory, whereas they applied their theory of numerical semigroups.