On higher-order differentials of the period map (Q1320634)

For a smooth proper morphism \(\pi : {\mathcal X} \to S\) where \(S\) is a small ball in \(\mathbb{C}^s\) centered at 0, one has a period map \(\Phi : S \to {\mathcal D}\) with \({\mathcal D}\) a suitable classifying space of Hodge structures. The image of a tangent vector \(\theta \in T_{S,0}\) under the first derivative \(d \Phi\) at 0 is known to be expressible as cup product with the Kodaira-Spencer deformation class \(\kappa (\theta)\) by Griffiths. The author defines the higher order derivatives of \(\Phi\) and gives a procedure to compute these using explicit Čech cochains. He passes to Archimedean cohomology in order to deal with just one varying subspace instead of a varying flag as usual in variations of Hodge structure. The author's calculations give rise to many questions, e.g. concerning the relation with Wahl's Gauss map or with formulas related with Massey products.