Alexander modules, Mellin transformation and variations of mixed Hodge structures (Q2105754)

Let \(X\) be a complex algebraic variety, \(T\) a complex affine torus and \(f \colon X \rightarrow T\) an algebraic map. Denote by \(\widetilde{X}\) the fiber product over a universal covering \(\widetilde{T} \rightarrow T\). Then the group \(H_i(\widetilde{X}, \mathbb Q)\) can be endowed with a natural structure of \(\mathbb Q[\pi_1(T)]\)-module; it is called the \(i\)-th homological Alexander module of the pair \((X, f)\). Next, more generally, let \(\mathcal L_T\) be the tautological local system on \(T\) and let \(\mathcal L_X\) be the local system on \(X\) induced by \(f^\ast \mathcal L_T\). Then the \(i\)-th cohomological Alexander module of \(X\) with respect to \(f\) is defined to be the \(\mathbb Q[\pi_1(T)]\)-module \(H^i(X, \mathcal L_X)\). In a certain sense, these modules can be regarded as global analogues of the cohomology groups of Milnor fibers. The goal of the paper under review is to construct mixed Hodge structures on certain finite-dimensional subspaces (more precisely, on maximal Artinian submodules) of the multivariable homological and cohomological Alexander modules associated with \((X, f)\). Thus, one can obtain useful information about the global geometry of holomorphic or algebraic functions [\textit{A. Dimca} and \textit{L. Maxim}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 359, No. 7, 3505--3528 (2007; Zbl 1119.32012); \textit{C. Sabbah}, Duke Math. J. 60, No. 3, 729--814 (1990; Zbl 0715.14007)]. The author's construction is essentially based on properties of the Mellin transformation introduced in [\textit{O. Gabber} and \textit{F. Loeser}, Duke Math. J. 83, No. 3, 501--606 (1996; Zbl 0896.14009)] and on properties of unipotent variations of mixed Hodge structures described in [\textit{R. M. Hain} and \textit{S. Zucker}, Invent. Math. 88, 83--124 (1987; Zbl 0622.14007)]. Among other things, it is also explained some essential differences between the methods used in the present paper and in the earlier work [\textit{E. Elduque}, et al., ``Mixed Hodge structures on Alexander modules'', Memoirs of the AMS (to appear)], where a canonical and functorial mixed Hodge structure was constructed on the maximal Artinian submodule of \(H^i(X, \mathcal L_X)\) for a smooth variety \(X\) over the one-dimensional torus. As applications, the authors first prove the quasi-unipotence of the monodromy, then obtain upper bounds on the sizes of its Jordan blocks, explore the change in the Alexander modules after removing fibers of the map and, in conclusion, examine an interesting example of a singular complex algebraic variety with a non-semisimple cohomological Alexander module.