On higher Du Bois singularities and $K$-regularity

Abstract

We study the relationship between higher Du Bois singularities and $K$-regularity, a notion that measures the ${\mathbb{A}}^1$-invariance of the algebraic $K$-groups. Building on this relationship, we establish a strengthened form of Vorst's conjecture for local complete intersections in characteristic zero. Our work also provides tools to construct new examples that illustrate various phenomena in the study of $K$-regularity. The main inputs for our results are vanishing theorems for the Du Bois complexes.

Revised introduction; improvement to Theorem C(2)