Nonrational nodal quartic threefolds (Q997134)

Let \(X\) be a nodal quartic threefold in \(\mathbb P ^4\), i.e. a hypersurface of degree \(4\) whose singularities are ordinary double points. In particular \(X\) is Fano with terminal singularities and \(-K_X\sim \mathcal O _X(1)\). In the paper under review the \(\mathbb Q\)-factoriality and rationality of nodal quartic threefolds is studied. It is shown (amongst other things) that if there are at most \(8\) nodes, then \(X\) is \(\mathbb Q\)-factorial and if there are exactly \(9\) nodes, then \(X\) is \(\mathbb Q\)-factorial if and only if it does not contain a plane. In particular, by \textit{M. Mella} [Math. Ann. 330, No.~1, 107--126 (2004; Zbl 1058.14022)], if there are at most \(8\) nodes (resp. \(9\) nodes and \(X\) does not contain a plane) then \(X\) is nonrational. It is also shown that if \(X\) is a sufficiently general quartic threefold containing a smooth del Pezzo surface of degree \(4\), then \(X\) is nodal, non-\(\mathbb Q\)-factorial and nonrational and has \(16\) nodes.