On the birational structure of certain Calabi-Yau threefolds (Q1814218)

Let \(X\) be the fibre product over \(\mathbb{P}^ 1\) of two rational elliptic surfaces. \(X\) is a projective threefold whose first Chern class is trivial. Assume also some general conditions (explicitly given in the paper) under which \(X\) is nonsingular. By blowing \(X\) up along some \((-1, -1)\)-curves and by blowing down the corresponding exceptional divisors to other directions we get a new Moishezon threefold \(Y\), which is not necessarily projective. This procedure is referred to as a flop. A result by Kawamata says that a flop in the projective category is determined by a ``movable and big'' line bundle. In this paper movable and big line bundles on \(X\) (and so flops) are studied. As a consequence the author makes clear which sets of curves are to be chosen to operate a flop giving rise to a projective \(Y\). Conversely any Calabi-Yau threefold birational to \(X\) is shown to be obtained by such a flop. The author also proves that the group of birational automorphisms coincides with the automorphism group \(\text{Aut}(X)\); that every automorphism of \(X\) preserves the natural fibration on \(\mathbb{P}^ 1\). \(\hbox{Aut}(X)\) is expressed by means of the automorphisms of the two original rational elliptic surfaces. Finally isomorphism classes of Calabi-Yau manifolds birational to \(X\) are classified.