Generalized Albanese and its dual (Q1029309)

Let \(X\) be a projective variety over an algebraically closed field \(k\) of characteristic 0. The main result of this paper is a general statement about the existence and construction of universal objects of categories of rational maps from \(X\) to commutative algebraic groups. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of such universal objects is given, as well as their explicit construction, using duality theory of generalized 1-motives. An important application is the Albanese of a singular projective variety, which was constructed by Esnault, Srinivas and Viehweg as a universal regular quotient of a relative Chow group of 0-cycles of degree 0 modulo rational equivalence. The author obtains functorial descriptions of the universal regular quotient and its dual 1-motive.