The moduli space of cubic fourfolds via the period map (Q990186)

The classifying space \(D\) of polarized Hodge structures on the middle cohomology (or the period domain) for cubic fourfolds is a bounded symmetric domain of type IV of dimension 20. The period map for cubic fourfolds is defined by sending a smooth cubic fourfold \(X\) to its periods: \(P_o: M_o \rightarrow D/\Gamma\), where \(\Gamma\) is the monodromy group. By a result of Voisin since 1986, the global Torelli theorem takes place for cubic fourfolds, i.e., \(P_o\) is an open embedding [see \textit{C. Voisin}, Invent. Math. 86, 577--601 (1986; Zbl 0622.14009) and also Invent. Math. 172, No. 2, 455--458 (2008; Zbl 1133.14310)]. Since then, the question about the characterization of the image of the period map for cubic fourfolds remained open. In the present paper, an answer to this question is given. By Theorem 1.1, the first main result, the image of \(P_o\) coincides with the complement of the hyperplane arrangements \(H_\infty \cup H_\Delta\) of determinants 2 and 6 respectively. By Theorem 1.2, the second main result of the paper, the period map \(P_o\) extends to an isomorphism \(\overline{M} \rightarrow \widetilde{D/\Gamma}\), where \(\overline{M}\) is the GIT compactification of \(M_o\), and \(\widetilde{D/\Gamma}\) is the Looijenga compactification of \(D/\Gamma\) associated with the arrangement \(H_\infty\). This answers positively a conjecture by \textit{B. Hassett} [Compos. Math. 120, No. 1, 1--23 (2000; Zbl 0956.14031)]. An alternative independent proof of the same results is obtained at the same time by \textit{E. Looijenga} [Invent. Math. 177, No. 1, 213--233 (2009; Zbl 1177.32010)].