On the Picard number of Fano 3-folds with terminal singularities (Q1842779)

This paper continues a series of papers by the author on algebraic 3-folds [cf. Math. USSR, Izv. 37, No. 1, 157-189 (1991); translation from Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Mat. 54, No. 4, 810-845 (1990; Zbl 0731.14024)]. From the author's summary: ``\(\dots\) we get a final result on estimating the Picard number \(\rho = \dim N_1 (X)\) of a Fano 3-fold \(X\) with terminal \(\mathbb{Q}\)-factorial singularities if \(X\) does not have small extremal rays and its Mori polyhedron does not have faces with Kodaira dimension 1 or 2. One can consider this class as a generalization of the class of Fano 3-folds with Picard number 1. There are many nonsingular Fano 3-folds satisfying this condition and with Picard number 2 \(\dots\) We also think that studying the Picard number of this class may be important for studying Fano 3-folds with Picard number 1.'' Let \(X\) be a Fano 3-fold with terminal \(\mathbb{Q}\)-factorial singularities, \(R\) an extremal ray of the Mori polyhedron \(\overline {NE} (X)\) of \(X\), then \(R\) is said to be of type (I) (type (II), respectively) if curves on \(R\) yield an irreducible divisor \(D(R)\) of \(X\) and the contraction of the ray \(R\) contracts the divisor \(D(R)\) to a point (a curve, respectively). An extremal ray \(R\) is defined to be small if curves on \(R\) fill a curve on \(X\). A pair \(\{R_1, R_2\}\) of extremal rays has type \({\mathcal V}_2\) if \(R_1 \neq R_2\), both have type (II) and \(D(R_1) = D (R_2)\). The basic theorem asserts: If \(X\) does not have a small extremal ray and \( \overline {NE} (X)\) does not have a face of Kodaira dimension 1 or 2, then: (1) \(X\) does not have a pair of extremal rays of type \({\mathcal V}_2\) and \(\overline {NE} (X)\) is simplicial. (2) \(X \) has at most one extremal ray of type (I). Further, for extremal sets of \(k\) extremal rays a complete list of possible types is given. For the Picard number of \(X\) is shown: (4) \(\rho (X) = \dim N_1 (X) \leq 7\) This implies: If \(X\) is a Fano 3-fold with terminal \(\mathbb{Q}\)-factorial singularities and \(\rho (X) > 7\), then \(X\) has either a small extremal ray or a face of Kodaira dimension 1 or 2 in \(\overline {NE} (X)\). The theorem leads to a classification for Fano 3-folds of the above type.