On rationality of logarithmic \(\mathbb{Q}\)-homology of planes. I (Q1371125)

This is the first of a three part article answering certain questions about \({\mathbb{Q}}\)-homology planes. Let \(V\) be a normal surface defined over the complex numbers which is logarithmic; that is all its singularities are of quotient type. Such a surface is called a \({\mathbb{Q}}\)-homology plane, if its reduced homology groups with rational coefficients all vanish. These surfaces have been extensively studied by various authors, notably by M. Miyanishi and R. V. Gurjar. The following questions are dealt with: (A) Are all logarithmic \({\mathbb{Q}}\)-homology planes rational? (B) Are all logarithmic \({\mathbb{Q}}\)-homology planes of logarithmic Kodaira dimension 2, rational? (C) Let \(X\) be a non-singular complex projective surface and \(\Delta\) a reduced effective divisor on \(X\). Assume that (a) the irreducible components of \(\Delta\) generate \(\text{ Pic} X\) rationally, (b) each connected component of \(\Delta\) is simply connected and (c) \(\kappa(X,K+\Delta)=2\). Then is \(X\) rational? Questions (A) and (B) are equivalent, since it has already been shown by others that such surfaces with logarithmic Kodaira dimension at most one are rational. In this paper, the authors prove, with the notation as in (C), that if \(\Delta\) is not connected, then \(X\) is rational and thus any non-smooth surface as in question (B) is rational. See also the following review of part II [by \textit{R. V. Gurjar, C. R. Pradeep} and \textit{Anant R. Shastri}, ibid. 34, No. 3, 725-743 (1997; Zbl 0890.14022)].