Fano manifolds with long extremal rays (Q2493483)

Let \(X\) be a complex projective algebraic manifold of dimension \(n\) with ample anticanonical bundle \(-K_X\). The numerical invariants: Picard number \(\rho_X\), index \(r_X:=\)max\(\{n\in\mathbb N\,\,| \,K_X=-mH\) for some divisor \(H\) on \(X\}\), pseudoindex \(i_X:=\)min\(\{ d\,| \,\exists \) a rational curve of anticanonical degree \(d\) on \(X\,\}\), length \(l(R):=\)min\(\{-K_X\cdot C\,| \,C\) a rational curve in \(R\,\}\) of an extremal ray \(R\), and the dimension of the exceptional locus Exc \(R:=\{x\in C\,| \, C\) a rational curve in \(R\,\}\) are related and bounded with respect to \(n\). In particular \(l(R)\leq n+1\) and \(l(R)=n+1\) iff \(X\simeq\mathbb {P}^n\). A generalization of a conjecture of Mukai claims that \(\rho_X(i_X-1)\leq n\) with equality iff \(X\simeq(\mathbb {P}^{i_X-1})^{\rho_X}\) [see \textit{L. Bonavero, C. Casagrande, O. Debarre}, and \textit{S. Druel}, Comment. Math. Helv. 78, No.~3, 601--626 (2003; Zbl 1044.14019)]. This is known to be true if \(i_X\geq n+1\) [see \textit{K. Cho, Y. Miyaoka} and \textit{N. Shepherd-Barron}, Math. Soc. Japan. Adv. Stud. Pure Math. 35, 1--88 (2002; Zbl 1063.14065); \textit{S. Kebekus}, in: Complex geometry. Coll. pap. ded. Hans Grauert, 147--155 (2002; Zbl 1046.14028)]. In the paper under review, the authors classify Fano manifolds \(X\) with specific relations between the numerical invariants. The proofs are based on a thorough investigation of the geometry of families of rational curves in \(X\). Under the assumption \(\rho_X\geq 2\) the inequality \(i_X+l(R)\leq \) dim Exc\((R)+2\) is proved. If equality holds and \(R\) is a fiber type or divisorial extremal ray, then either \(X\simeq\mathbb {P}^k\times\mathbb {P}^{n-k}\) or \(X\) is a blow up of \(\mathbb {P}^n\) along a linear subspace \(\mathbb P^t\) with \(0\leq t\leq\frac{n-3}{2}\). Moreover, \(i_X+l(R)= \) dim Exc\((R)+1\) then implies \(\rho_X\leq 3\), allows a description of the Kleiman-Mori cone and a classification for \(\rho_X=3\). The assumption \(r_X+l(R)=\)dim Exc\((R)+2\) together with \(\rho_X\geq 2\) (\(R\) an arbitrary extremal ray) determines \(X\) to be a projective bundle over \(\mathbb P^k\) induced by a specific vector bundle. Finally, a classification is given in the situation where the contraction associated to the extremal ray \(R\) is the blow up of a smooth variety \(T\) along a smooth subvariety and where \(i_X+l(R)\geq n\). The blow ups of \(\mathbb P^n\) or \(\mathbb Q^n\) along linear subspaces or subquadrics of dimension \(<\frac{n}{2}-1\) belong to this class. For the special case \(T=\{p\}\) see \textit{L. Bonavero, F. Campana}, and \textit{J. A. Wisniewski} [C. R., Math., Acad. Sci. Paris 334, No.~6, 463--468 (2002; Zbl 1036.14020)].