Cox rings of rational complexity-one \(T\)-varieties (Q436098)

Let \(X\) be a normal and complete variety with a finitely generated divisor class group \(Cl(X)\). Then one can defines the Cox ring of \(X\): \(\mathrm{Cox}(X)=\) \(\bigoplus_{D\in \mathrm{Cl}(X)} \Gamma(X,O_X(D))\). The authors say that \(X\) is a Mori dream space if \(\mathrm{Cox}(X)\) is a finitely generated \(\mathbb{C}\)-algebra. By [\textit{Y. Hu} and \textit{S. Keel}, Mich. Math. J. 48, Spec. Vol., 331--348 (2000; Zbl 1077.14554)], when \(X\) is \(\mathbb{Q}\)-factorial and projective, this definition coincides with the usual ones in the Mori theory. One of the most important class of Mori dream space is the one of toric varieties. Indeed, a normal complete variety with a finitely generated free divisor class group is a toric variety if and only if its Cox ring is a polynomial ring (see [\textit{F. Berchtold} and \textit{J. Hausen}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 359, No. 3, 1205--1252 (2007; Zbl 1117.14009)]). In particular the spectrum of the Cox ring of a toric variety is again an (affine) toric variety. The normal affine varieties \(X\) with an effective action of a torus \(T\) can be combinatorial described in terms of characters of \(T\) and of the so called polyhedral divisors (or p-divisors) on \(Y=X//^{\mathrm{ch}}T\) (see [\textit{K. Altmann} and \textit{J. Hausen}, Math. Ann. 334, No. 3, 557--607 (2006; Zbl 1193.14060)]). This description can be seriously simplified if \(Z\) is a curve (see [\textit{N. Ilten} and \textit{H. Süss}, Mich. Math. J. 60, No. 3, 561--578 (2011; Zbl 1230.14075)]). Moreover it generalizes the one of affine toric varieties in terms of cones. If \(X\) is a Mori dream space with \(\mathrm{Cl}(X)\) torsion free, then the spectrum of \(\mathrm{Cox}(X)\) is a normal affine toric variety and the \(\mathrm{Cl}(X)\)-grading gives an action of the Picard torus \(S=\Hom(\mathrm{Cl}(X),C^*)\). In such case \(\mathrm{Spec}(\mathrm{Cox}(X)\) has been described as \(S\)-variety in [\textit{K. Altmann} and \textit{J. Wiśniewski}, Mich. Math. J. 60, No. 2, 463--480 (2011; Zbl 1223.14006)]. The authors consider \(T\)-varieties \(X\) of complexity one, i.e. \(\dim\,Y=1\). If \(X\) is a DMS then \(Y\) is \(\mathbb{P}^1\). In this case \(\mathrm{Cox}(X)\) has been described by generators and relations in [\textit{J. Hausen} and \textit{H. Süss}, Adv. Math. 225, No. 2, 977--1012 (2010; Zbl 1248.14008)]. In this case the action of \(T\) on \(X\) induces an action on \(\mathrm{Cox}(X)\), and by combining it with the action of the Picard torus, \(\mathrm{Spec}(\mathrm{Cox}(X))\) turns into a complexity-one variety. Unfortunately, the combination of the two torus actions might involve torsion and there is not a general description of complexity-one variety by the action of a diagonalizable group. Removing the torsion gives rise to a finite covering \(C\rightarrow\mathbb{P}^1\), and the authors describe \(\mathrm{Cox}(X)\) in terms of a polyhedral divisor on \(C\). To do this, the authors present covering of \(\mathbb{P}^1\) together with an action of a finite abelian group \(A\) in terms of so-called \(A\)-divisors of degree zero on \(\mathbb{P}^1\). When \(\mathrm{Cl}(X)\) is free, then \(C=\mathbb{P}^1\) and the description is simpler.