On rank 3 quadratic equations of projective varieties (Q6567130)

The article under review explores the structure of rank 3 quadratic polynomials associated with projective varieties. The study focuses on varieties \(X\) embedded in projective space via a line bundle \(L\) and examines the locus \(\Phi_3(X, L)\), which consists of quadratic equations of rank 3. The key objective is to describe the geometric decomposition of \(\Phi_3(X, L)\) into irreducible components and establish conditions under which this decomposition is minimal.\N\NThe paper establishes a theoretical framework for constructing subvarieties \(W(A, B) \subset \Phi_3(X, L)\) for each pair \((A, B)\) in a set \(\Sigma(X, L)\) related to the Picard group of \(X\). A significant result shows that when \(X\) is locally factorial and has a finitely generated Picard group, \(\Phi_3(X, L)\) can be decomposed as a union of these subvarieties \(W(A, B)\). Furthermore, this decomposition is minimal if each component \(W(A, B)\) corresponds to irreducible elements in the Cox ring of \(X\).\N\NIllustrative examples provided include cases where the rank-3 loci of specific projective varieties yield an irreducible decomposition, as well as situations with higher complexity, such as elliptic normal curves. The article's results have implications for understanding the algebraic and geometric properties of projective varieties through the ranks of their defining polynomials, particularly in cases related to syzygies and determinantal varieties.