Dynkin graphs and quadrilateral singularities (Q689059)

This lecture note examines the 6 types of ``quadrilateral'' singularities \(J_{3,0}\), \(Z_{1,0}\), \(Q_{2,0}\), \(W_{1,0}\), \(S_{1,0}\), \(U_{1,0}\): if \(X\) is a class of them, \(PC(X)\) denotes the set of Dynkin graphs \(G\) with components of type \(A\), \(D\), \(E\) having the following property: There is a fibre \(Y\) in the versal deformation of a singularity in \(X\), such that \(Y\) has only rational double points, and \(G\) is given as a (disjoint) union of their Dynkin graphs. Quadrilateral singularities are of modality 2, and \(PC(X)\) is studied for the case, if \(X\) is one of the relevant normal forms [cf. \textit{V. I. Arnold}, Invent. Math. 35, 87- 109 (1976; Zbl 0336.57022)]. Due to Looijenga, \(PC(X)\) can be studied using the lattice embedding of the associated root-lattice into the even unimodular lattice with signature (19,3). Using Nikulin's results for such embeddings, this gives a possibility to determine whether or not \(G\) belongs to \(PC(X)\). The book under review gives a systematic treatment of all cases; technical tools are the root systems \(A,\dots,F\) as well as the nonreduced root systems \(BC\) arising in the relevant constructions. Using Dynkin graphs (in a terminology slightly different from the standard one), the description of \(G \in PC(X)\) (in the cases of \(X = J_{3,0}\), \(Z_{1,0}\), \(Q_{2,0})\) is given by the following theorem: \(G\) belongs to \(PC(X)\) iff it is in a list of exceptions or can be obtained by applying elementary or ``tie transformations'' (in the sense, studied by the author in a previous paper) twice to some of a certain list of essential basic Dynkin graphs and if \(G\) contains no short root. This theorem can be interpreted in the language of elliptic \(K3\)-surfaces: It describes the possible combinations of singular fibres on \(K3\)-surfaces with a singular fibre of type \(I^*_ 0\) (in Kodaira's notation). -- The remaining cases of \(X = W_{1,0}\), \(S_{1,0}\), \(U_{1,0}\) require further efforts. Appearing graphs can be characterized by additional rules (presence of ``obstruction components'' and/or ``dual elementary transformations''). The book starts with an introduction to quadrilateral singularities: In chapter 1 Looijenga's results (which are basic to reduce the problem to lattice embeddings) are reviewed. After an introduction to lattices, another section is devoted to a theory of root systems, adapted to the situation considered later. Further, the technical tools for manipulating graphs are introduced, followed by a section, where conditions are given for a Dynkin graph \(G\) to be in \(PC(X)\). The chapter concludes explaining Coxeter-Vinberg graphs associated with hyperbolic spaces. Chapter 2 deals with the first three types of quadrilateral singularities, as indicated above, whereas chapter 3 and 4 are devoted to the study of the cases \(X = W_{1,0}\), \(S_{1,0}\), \(U_{1,0}\) respectively. In an appendix, similar questions for plane sextic curves are considered: This is a revised version of the authors' earlier paper [in Singularities, Proc. IMA Particip. Inst. Conf., Iowa City 1986, Contemp. Math. 90, 295-316 (1989; Zbl 0698.14023)], where the above methods are applied to study conditions for a Dynkin graph to correspond to a configuration of \(A,D,E\)-singularities on a sextic curve. This book gives insight to deep properties of deformations of a class of bimodal singularities. The author points out essential ideas stemming from a discussion at Oberseminar Brieskorn (University of Bonn), especially from \textit{F. J. Bilitewski}, who considered several of the cases treated here, already. The methods employed may be useful to study other types of singularities as well.