D-modules generated by rational powers of holomorphic functions

Abstract: We prove some sufficient conditions in order that a root of the Bernstein-Sato polynomial contributes to a difference between certain D-modules generated by rational powers of a holomorphic function; for instance, this holds in the case of isolated singularities with semisimple Milnor monodromies. We then construct an example where a root does not contribute to a difference. This also solves an old open problem about the relation between the Milnor monodromy and the exponential of the residue of the Gauss-Manin connection on the saturation of the Brieskorn lattice. This shows that the structure of Brieskorn lattices can be more complicated than one might imagine.