Isolated rational curves on \(K3\)-fibered Calabi-Yau threefolds (Q1293759)

A complete intersection \(F\) in a multiprojective space \({\mathbb P}^{n_1} \times \dots \times {\mathbb P}^{n_k}\) is given by polynomials \(f_1,\dots,f_m\). Each \(f_j\) has multidegree \((g_{1j},\dots,g_{kj})\). The collection of these multidegrees is called the type of \(F\). This paper is concerned with the case where the complete intersection is a threefold, \(k=2\), \(n_2 = 1\) and \(n_i +1 = \sum_j g_{ij}\) for \(i=1,2\) (so that \(F\) will be Calabi-Yau). After identifying types that differ only by change of indexing, the authors prove that there are exactly 16 types of Calabi-Yau threefolds which are surjective on the second factor. These are \(K3\)-fibered by the projection on the second factor. The authors then prove that for a general choice of each of these 16 types, and for all positive integers \(d\), there exists an isolated smooth rational curve \(C\) of bidegree \((d,0)\). The proof uses existence theorems for curves on \(K3\)-surfaces due to Mori and to Oguiso. As a consequence the authors prove the existence of rational curves of every degree on a general Calabi-Yau variety in projective space.