\(\text{SL}_2\)-orbits and degenerations of mixed Hodge structure (Q2433592)

Given a smooth projective morphism \(f: X \to S\) of complex quasi-projective varieties, the cohomology groups \(\mathcal V_s = H^k (X_s)\) for \(s \in S\) form a variation of Hodge structure \(\mathcal V\) over \(S\). Schmid's SL\(_2\)-orbit theorem provides a local theory concerning such a variation of Hodge structure along the boundary of a compactification of \(S\). In this paper the author extends Schmid's theorem by considering a morphism that is not necessarily proper or smooth. For the study of such a case, the variations of pure Hodge structure should be replaced by those of mixed Hodge structure that are admissible in some sense. As an application the author obtains a simple formula for the asymptotic behavior of the archimedean height of a flat family of algebraic cycles which depends only on the weight filtration and local monodromy.