Defects of cusp singularities and the classification of Hilbert modular threefolds (Q2277040)

Let \(K_ n={\mathbb{Q}}(\alpha)\) be the totally real cubic number field determined by \(\alpha\), a root of \(\phi_ n(x)=x^ 3-(n+3)x^ 2+(n+4)x-1\), for \(n\geq 3\). Let \(M_ n={\mathbb{Z}}[\alpha]\) and let \(U_ n^+\) (respectively \(U^ 2_ n)\) denote the group of totally positive units (respectively squares of units) in \(M_ n\). The pairs \((M_ n,U_ n^+)\) and \((M_ n,U^ 2_ n)\) each determine a normal complex space with one cusp. This paper provides a formula for the defect series for each of these two families of cusps. As an application of the result, bounds are computed for the size of the plurigenera of Hilbert modular varieties over the fields \(K_ 3\) and \(K_ 4\). These bounds yield a specific example proving that unlike the case of Hilbert modular surfaces, a Hilbert modular threefold may have arithmetic genus equal to one and still not be rational.