Normal algebraic surfaces with trivial bicanonical divisor (Q1355557)

Let \(S\) be a complex projective normal surface with at worst quotient singular points. \(S\) is said to be a log Enriques surface if the irregularity \(h^1({\mathcal O}_S)\) is zero and if \(mK_S\) is linearly equivalent to zero for a positive integer \(m\). The smallest \(m\) such that \(mK_S \sim 0\) is called the index of \(S\). In the paper under review the authors prove that for a log Enriques surface of index \(2\) with no rational double points, the fundamental group of the smooth part of \(S\) is a finite solvable group of order \(\leq 256\). The condition on the index of \(S\) is necessary. In fact there are examples of log Enriques surface with index \(\geq 3\) such that \(\pi_1(S- \text{Sing }S)\) is infinite [see \textit{D.-Q. Zhang}, J. Math. Kyoto Univ. 31, No. 2, 419-466 (1991; Zbl 0759.14029) and 33, No. 2, 357-397 (1993; Zbl 0804.14017), \textit{R. Blache}, J. Algebr. Geom. 4, No. 1, 137-179 (1995; Zbl 0836.14018)]. Also necessary is the assumption that \(S\) has no rational double points since there is a log Enriques surface having rational double points and with \(\pi_1(S- \text{Sing }S)\) infinite.