An analogue of holonomic D-modules on smooth varieties in positive characteristics

Abstract

In this paper a definition of a category of modules over the ring of differential operators on a smooth variety of finite type in positive characteristics is given. It has some of the good properties of holonomic D-modules in zero characteristic. We prove that it is a Serre category and that it is closed under the usual D-module functors, as defined by Haastert. The relation to the similar concept of F-finite modules, introduced by Lyubeznik, is elucidated, and several examples, such as etale algebras, are given.