\(R\)-equivalence on families of rational varieties and the descent method (Q713183)

Let \(k\) be a local field and let \(X\) be a smooth projective rationally connected variety over \(k\). \textit{J. Kollar} shows in [Ann. Math. (2) 150, No. 1, 357--367 (1999; Zbl 0976.14016)] that the set \(X(k)/R\) of \(R\)-equivalence classes is a finite set. Furthermore when \(f:X\rightarrow Y\) is smooth and projective morphism over \(k\) whose fibers are rationally connected, it follows from a result obtained in [\textit{J. Kollár}, Publ. Res. Inst. Math. Sci. 40, No. 3, 689--708 (2004; Zbl 1081.14008)] that the function \(\rho(f):Y(k)\rightarrow \mathbb{N}, y \mapsto |X_y(k)/R|\) is upper semicontinuous for the topology induced by that of \(k\). In this paper the author shows that if a family \(f:X\rightarrow Y\) of rational varieties over \(k\) satisfies a certain condition, then the function \(\rho(f)\) is locally constant. For the proof she employs the method of descent due to Colliot-Thélène and Sansuc. The condition is known to hold for families of Chatelet surfaces and those of smooth compacitifications of \(k\)-tori among others, and hence her result holds true for such families.