Variation of singular Kähler-Einstein metrics: positive Kodaira dimension (Q2238192)

Given a Kähler fiber space \(p:X \to Y\) whose generic fiber is of general type, the authors prove that the fiberwise singular Kähler-Einstein metric induces a semipositively curved metric on the relative canonical bundle \(K_{X/Y}\) of \(p\). For fibrations with canonically polarized fibers, first the rewiever proved in [Invent. Math. 190, No. 1, 1--56 (2012; Zbl 1258.32005)] that the fiberwise Kähler-Einstein metric induces a semipositively curved metric on the relative canonical bundle \(K_{X/Y}\) of \(p\) that is strictly positive in directions where the family is effective in the sense of deformation theory. Moreover results about the local and global extension of the curvature form of the hermitian metric on \(K_{X/Y}\) as a positive, closed \((1,1)\)-current with vanishing Lelong numbers at degenerations were shown. Properties of the direct images of the form \(p_*(mK_{X/Y})\) are also important in birational geometry e.g.\ when addressing Iitaka's \(C_{nm}\) conjecture. A singular Kähler-Einstein metric on a compact Kähler manifold (e.g.\ on a fiber \(X_y\) with \(y\in Y\)) refers to a closed, positive \((1,1)\)-current \(\omega\) that satisfies a Kähler-Einstein like equation in a weak sense, namely \[\mathrm{Ric}\; \omega = \lambda \omega + T , \] where \(T\) is a closed \((1,1)\)-current. A \(\mathbb Q\)-bundle \(L\) is introduced, equipped with a singular metric \(h_L\), whose curvature current \(\Theta_{h_L}\) is positive in the sense of currents, and the above singular Kähler-Einstein equation on \(X_y\) for \(\omega=\omega_{KE,y}\) is being considered for \(\lambda=-1\) and \(T= i \Theta_{h_L}\). Let \(Y^\circ\) be the complement of a certain analytic subset of \(Y\), and \(X^\circ = p^{-1}(Y^\circ)\). Then the general framework is the following conjecture of the authors: \textbf{Conjecture.} Given the above set-up, the relative Kähler-Einstein metrics \((\omega_{KE,y})_{y\in Y^\circ}\) induce a metric \(e^{-\phi_{KE}}\) on \(K_{X^\circ/Y^\circ}\) which is positively curved and which extends canonically across \(X\backslash X^\circ\) to a positively curved metric on \(K_{X/Y}+L\). Singular (relative) Kähler-Einstein metrics (called canonical metrics) were introduced by \textit{J. Song} and \textit{G. Tian} [J. Am. Math. Soc. 25, No. 2, 303--353 (2012; Zbl 1239.53086)] and generalized by \textit{P. Eyssidieux} et al. [Commun. Math. Phys. 357, No. 3, 1179--1214 (2018; Zbl 1402.53049)]. The authors prove the following; \textbf{Theorem A.} The conjecture holds true, if the Lelong numbers of the curvature current corresponding to \(h_L\) are zero on the \(p\)-inverse image of a Zariski open subset of \(Y\). An effective \(\mathbb Q\)-divisor \(B\) on \(X\) is given with coefficients in \((0,1)\) is given and fiberwise generically simple normal crossings, and the constructions by Tian-Song and Eyssidieux-Guedj-Zeriahi generalized to a suitable birational model \(X' \to Z'\) over \(Y\) of the relative Iitaka fibration \(X \dashrightarrow Z\). \textbf{Theorem B.} Let \(p:X \to Y\) be a Kähler fiber space such that for \(y\) generic the Kodaira dimension satisfies \[ \kappa(K_{X_y}+ B_y) >0. \] Then the canonical metrics on \(Z'_y\) induce a current over the smooth locus of \(Z' \to Y\), which is positive and extends canonically to a closed positive current on \(Z'\), provided the conjecture holds true. A further main proposition concerns the absolute case of a klt pair \((X,B)\). The arguments that lead to the above results are involved. They depend upon the afore-mentioned methods and the iterated Bergman metric technique of \textit{H. Tsuji} [Am. J. Math. 133, No. 6, 1469--1501 (2011; Zbl 1252.32035)]. In the first section of the article a birationally invariant definition of a singular Kähler-Einstein metric on a compact Kähler manifold is given and the existence shown using the algebra of global sections of the multiples of \(K_X +L\). The assumptions contain the bigness of the latter bundle and the existence of a certain singular hermitian metric \(h_L\) of positive curvature. A sequence of conjectures depending on each other is presented, which ultimately imply the existence of a family of singular Kähler-Einstein metrics. Under the assumption that the Lelong numbers of the curvature current of \((L,h_L)\) vanish, all of these are valid. Proofs of these are contained in the second section. Among others the technique of an approximation of the curvature current of \(L\) by Kähler currents and going back by the respective limiting process is being applied. In the third section the claim is reduced to the situation of non-singular hermitian metrics on \(L\), next to the case where a relative Zariski decomposition exists, and a certain Monge-Ampère equation is of importance. The forth section contains the main result for generic fibers of positive Kodaira dimension (with corresponding assumptions otherwise) concluding the article.