Kodaira dimension of irregular varieties (Q658957)

Let \(X, Y\) be smooth projective varieties of dimension \(n, m\) respectively, \(n > m\), and let \(f:X \to Y\) be an algebraic fiber space with general fiber \(F\). Iitaka's \(C_{n,m}\) conjecture states that \(\kappa(X) \geq \kappa(Y) + \kappa(F)\), where \(\kappa\) stands for the Kodaira dimension. This conjecture has been proved in several important special cases. In the paper under review, the authors prove the following results: (1) \(C_{n ,m}\) is true provided that \(Y\) is of maximal Albanese dimension; (2) the Albanese morphism \(a:X \to A\) of a smooth projective variety with \(\kappa(X)=0\) is an algebraic fiber space and its general fiber \(F\) satisfies \(\kappa(F)=0\). (1) can be regarded as an extension of \(C_{n,1}\) (at least when \(Y\) has genus \(\geq 1\)), which was proved by Kawamata many years ago. As to (2), the authors observe that the former fact is due to Kawamata and then the latter is an immediate consequence of (1) applied to \(a\), combined with the fact that \(\kappa(F) \geq 0\) since \(\kappa(X)\) is nonnegative. In the paper, however, the authors first prove (2), improving an earlier weaker version obtained in [\textit{J.A. Chen} and \textit{C.D. Hacon}, ``On Ueno's conjecture K,'' Math. Ann. 345, No.\,2, 287--296 (2009; Zbl 1189.14046)] and then they use this fact to prove (1).