Lattices generated by skeletons of reflexive polytopes (Q2474502)

Let \(M=\mathbb{Z}^n\) and let \(P\subset M_{\mathbb {R}}=M\otimes_{\mathbb{Z}}\mathbb{R}\) be an \(n\)-dimensional lattice polytope. Let \(P^*=\{x\in N_{\mathbb{R}}\mid \langle x, y\rangle \geq -1\text{~for all~} y\in P\}\) be the dual of \(P\) where \(N=M^*=\Hom_{\mathbb{Z}}(M,\mathbb{Z})\) and \(\langle~,~\rangle\) denotes the canonical pairing. One obtains a fan \(\Sigma\) in \(N_{\mathbb{R}}\) by taking cones over the faces of \(P^*\). The corresponding toric variety \(\mathbb{P}_{\Sigma}\) is projective. Let \(\Lambda_k\) denote the sub lattice of \(M\) generated by lattice points in the \(k\)-skeleton on \(P\). The dual polytope \(P^*\) is, in general, not a lattice polytope with respect to \(N\). Recall that \(P\) is called reflexive if the origin is the only lattice point in its interior and if \(P^*\) is also such a lattice polytope. It turns out that \(P\) is reflexive if and only if \(P^*\) is. When \(P\) is a reflexive polytope, the \(n\)-dimensional toric varieties \(\mathbb{P}_{\Sigma}\) and \(\mathbb{P}_{\Sigma^*}\) are Gorenstein and Fano. Suppose that \(P\) is a reflexive polytope. \textit{V. V. Batyrev} [J. Algebr. Geom. 3, 493--535 (1994; Zbl 0829.14023)] has constructed a family \(\{V\}\) of Calabi-Yau varieties, which are hypersurfaces belonging to the anti-canonical linear system, in a suitable crepant partial toric desingularization of \(\mathbb{P}_\Sigma\). Since \(P^*\) is also a reflexive polytope, the same construction leads to another such family \(\{V'\}\) and Batyrev has shown that, when \(n=3, 4\), these are families of smooth varieties and their Hodge numbers satisfy the relations predicted by mirror symmetry. Integral homology, fundamental groups, and certain other algebraic topological invariants of these Calabi-Yau manifolds have been expressed using the combinatorics of the reflexive polytope \(P\) [see \textit{C. F. Doran} and \textit{J. W. Morgan}, Geom. Topol. 11, 597--642 (2007; Zbl 1137.14028)], and \textit{V. Batyrev} and \textit{M. Kreuzer}, in: Mirror symmetry V. Proceedings of the BIRS workshop on Calabi-Yau varieties and mirror symmetry, December 6--11, 2003. Providence, RI: American Mathematical Society (AMS); Somerville, MA: International Press. AMS/IP Studies in Advanced Mathematics 38, 255-270 (2006; Zbl 1116.14033)]. It appears that J. W. Morgan had asked the first named author whether \(\Lambda_{n-1}=\Lambda_{n-2}\) for all \(n\geq 3\). This is false when \(n=2\). When \(n=3\), this follows from the expression of the fundamental group of \(V'\) which are \(K3\) surfaces. The authors give a purely combinatorial proof that \(\Lambda_{n-2}=\Lambda_{n-1}\) for all \(n\geq 3\).