Degree 1 curves in the Dwork pencil and the mirror quintic (Q1934298)

While a general quintic threefold has 2875 lines, each fiber of the Dwork pencil \[ \left\{\sum_{i=0}^4 z_i^5 - 5 t z_0 z_1 z_2 z_3 z_4 =0\right\}_{t\in\mathbb{C}} \] contains a continuous family of lines. This `curiosity' gains its importance from the seminal work of \textit{P. Candelas} et al. [Nucl. Phys., B 359, No. 1, 21--74 (1991; Zbl 1098.32506)] on mirror symmetry for quintics where the number of rational curves of given degree is related to variations of Hodge structure on the mirror partner. This paper gives a precise description of the relative Hilbert scheme of lines on the Dwork pencil of quintic threefolds and of its associated mirror family. Using the language of gradient schemes (as introduced by \textit{H. Clemens} in [J. Algebr. Geom. 14, No. 4, 705--739 (2005; Zbl 1103.14017)]), the author shows that the relative Hilbert Scheme \[ \pi: \mathcal{H} = \mathcal{S} \cup \bigcup_{i=1}^{375} Z_i {\rightarrow}\mathbb{C} \] consists of \(375\) `discrete' lines -- the \(\pi|_{Z_{i}}:Z_i{\rightarrow}\mathbb{C}\) are isomorphisms; and of a smooth irreducible surface \(\pi|_{\mathcal{S}}:\mathcal{S}{\rightarrow}\mathbb{C}\) whose general fiber is the union of two smooth curves of genus \(626\). Since the paper under review has been published, \textit{P. Candelas} et al. [``Lines on the Dwork pencil of quintic threefolds'', \url{arXiv:1206.4961}] have given an explicit parametrization of the latter curves by realizing them as curves of the Wiman pencil.