Torsion zero cycles with modulus on affine varieties

Abstract

In this note we show that given a smooth affine variety $X$ over an algebraically closed field $k$ and an effective (possibly non reduced) Cartier divisor $D$ on it, the Kerz-Saito Chow group of zero cycles with modulus ${\mathrm{CH}}_0(X|D)$ is torsion free, except possibly for $p$-torsion if the characteristic of $k$ is $p>0$. This generalizes to the relative setting classical theorems of Rojtman (for $X$ smooth) and of Levine (for $X$ singular). A stronger version of this result, that encompasses $p$-torsion as well, was proven with a different and more sophisticated method by A. Krishna and the author in another paper.

Final version. 12 pages, exposition improved. Several gaps in the proofs fixed