In this paper we use the results from the first part to compute the vanishing
topology for matrix singularities based on certain spaces of matrices. We
place the variety of singular matrices in a geometric configuration of free
divisors which are the “exceptional orbit varieties” for representations of
solvable groups. Because there are towers of representations for towers of
solvable groups, the free divisors actually form a tower of free divisors
, and
we give an inductive procedure for computing the vanishing topology of the matrix
singularities. The inductive procedure we use is an extension of that introduced by
Lê–Greuel for computing the Milnor number of an ICIS. Instead of linear subspaces,
we use free divisors arising from the geometric configuration and which correspond to
subgroups of the solvable groups.
Here the vanishing topology involves a singular version of the Milnor
fiber; however, it still has the good connectivity properties and is homotopy
equivalent to a bouquet of spheres, whose number is called the singular
Milnor number. We give formulas for this singular Milnor number in terms
of singular Milnor numbers of various free divisors on smooth subspaces,
which can be computed as lengths of determinantal modules. In addition to
being applied to symmetric, general and skew-symmetric matrix singularities,
the results are also applied to Cohen–Macaulay singularities defined as
matrix
singularities. We compute the Milnor number of isolated Cohen–Macaulay surface singularities of
this type in and
the difference of Betti numbers of Milnor fibers for isolated Cohen–Macaulay 3–fold singularities
of this type in .