The metric geometry of singularity types

Abstract

Let $X$ be a compact K\"ahler manifold. Given a big cohomology class $\{\theta\}$, there is a natural equivalence relation on the space of $\theta$-psh functions giving rise to $\mathcal S(X,\theta)$, the space of singularity types of potentials. We introduce a natural pseudometric $d_{\mathcal {S}}$ on $\mathcal S(X,\theta)$ that is non-degenerate on the space of model singularity types and whose atoms are exactly the relative full mass classes. In the presence of positive mass we show that this metric space is complete. As applications, we show that solutions to a family of complex Monge-Amp\`ere equations with varying singularity type converge as governed by the $d_\mathcal S$-topology, and we obtain a semicontinuity result for multiplier ideal sheaves associated to singularity types, extending the scope of previous results from the local context.