The adjunction theory of complex projective varieties (Q1340610)

In algebraic geometry, adjunction theory is essentially the study of the interplay between the intrinsic geometry of a projective variety and the geometry induced by special projective embeddings of the variety. Thus the basic objects of study in adjunction theory are pairs, \((X,L)\), consisting of a projective variety \(X\) and an ample or very ample line bundle \(L\) over \(X\). Given a very ample line bundle \(L\) on a variety \(X\), there is a very rich geometry connected with the corresponding projective embedding. Namely, the various intersections of the (embedded) variety \(X\) with linear subspaces of the ambient projective space \(\mathbb{P}^N\), as well as other associated objects (e.g., the discriminant variety defined by the complete linear system \(|L |)\), provide lots of geometrical and numerical invariants characterizing the intrinsic geometry of \(X\), at least up to a certain extent. In this context, a special role is played by the so-called adjoint bundles of a given ample line bundle \(L\) on \(X\), and their significance has already become apparent in the study of algebraic surfaces by the old Italian school (Castelnuovo, Enriques, Fano, and others) of algebraic geometry. The classical period of adjunction theory (and of the method of adjoint linear systems) had reached its point of culmination and, simultaneously, its frontiers, when \textit{L. Roth} published his important work ``On the projective classification of surfaces'' [cf. Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 42, 142-170 (1937; Zbl 0015.26904)]. The generalization of classical adjunction theory to higher-dimensional varieties, first initiated by (again) \textit{L. Roth} for threefolds [cf. ``Algebraic threefolds with special regard to problems of rationality'' (1955; Zbl 0066.14704)], underwent a very intensive and rapid development after the methods of modern algebraic geometry had become available. Especially during the past twenty years, a tremendous progress has been achieved in studying ample divisors on varieties, and in the allied theory of adjoint systems and adjunction methods. Among the numerous contributors to this development, the authors of the present monograph under review, have acquired a particularly outstanding authority as leading experts in the field. The huge number of their papers devoted to this topic, and the just as huge number of important results obtained by them, did practically predestinate them for writing an encyclopedic treatise on this vastly developed subject. In fact, the book under review provides a systematic, comprehensive and utmost detailed account on classical and modern adjunction theory of complex projective varieties. The authors present a monograph, which incorporates all characteristic features of a self-contained textbook, of a research report that leads to the very recent achievements in the field, and of an encyclopedia which encompasses both history and present-day state of the matter. The authors have worked in the results from nearly 700 research papers (which appeared between 1897 and 1994), including more than 50 articles published by themselves (sometimes with co-authors), and they have managed to keep the text essentially self-contained and consistent. This is, mathematically and methodically, a great example of maximum efficiency in the literature on algebraic geometry. The text consists of 14 chapters. After a beautiful preface, in which the authors explain the history of the subject, concern and utility of adjunction theory within algebraic geometry, and the arrangement of the material presented in what follows, chapter 1 provides some background results from modern projective algebraic geometry found in most textbooks. Chapter 2 introduces to the various generalizations of the concept of ampleness for line bundles and the according positivity conditions. Chapter 3 discusses the properties of the basic varieties which occur in the adjunction-theoretic classification theory of projective varieties. The theory of Hilbert schemes and Mori's theory of extremal rays, as needed in the sequel, are made available in chapter 4. The following chapter 5 deals with special ample divisors on projective varieties and the restrictions which their existence imposes. Chapter 6 is devoted to rational curves on projective varieties and covers Mori's results on the condition of ``unbreaking'' for families of rational curves. Chapter 7 gives then an account on general adjunction theory via \(\mathbb{Q}\)-Cartier divisors and reduction methods (à la Beltrametti, Sommese, Fania, and others). The main technique here is Mori theory and the precise version of Kawamata's rationality theorem. The aspects and results of classical adjunction theory, which was contributed to by many algebraic geometers, is extensively presented, in the coherent framework of modern algebraic geometry, in chapters 8 to 12. This includes, to a large extent, the investigation of adjoint bundles, their spannedness, the adjunction mapping, adjunction theory for surfaces and threefolds, and the method of reduction for threefolds. Chapter 13 discusses some numerical results for polarized projective varieties, e.g., the double point formula for threefolds and a few Chern inequalities for ample divisors. The concluding chapter 14 studies some of the properties of special varieties occuring in adjunction theory. This chapter contains the basic structure results for scrolls, quadric fibrations, varieties with small invariants, projective manifolds with small defect, and for hyperplane sections of curves. A seemingly complete bibliography, which is referred to constantly in the text, is particularly a welcome service to the reader. Again: The material of the book is presented in encyclopedic thoroughness, indisputable rigour, and exemplary completeness. Quite undoubtedly, it will immediately become the standard text and reference book on adjunction theory in projective algebraic geometry.