The Gauss map of a generic hypersurface in P^ 4

From MaRDI portal
Publication:1103692





Singularities of Gauss maps are studied for algebraic hypersurfaces of complex projective 4-space. Such a hypersurface \(M\subset {\mathbb{P}}^ 4\) is called \textit{Gauss-stable} if, for every point \(x\in M\), the germ at x of the Gauss map \(\gamma: M\to {\mathbb{P}}^{4*}\) is a stable Legendre map germ. It is proved that the set of Gauss-stable hypersurfaces of degree \(d\) is a nonempty Zariski open subset of the space of all smooth degree \(d\) hypersurfaces in \({\mathbb{P}}^ 4\). The singularities of the Gauss map of a Gauss-stable hypersurface are classified, and this classification is related to the differential geometry of the second fundamental form. The Thom-Boardman symbols of these singularities are \(\Sigma ^ 1,\Sigma ^ 2,\Sigma ^{1,1},\Sigma ^{1,1,1}\). They correspond, respectively, to singularities of tangent hyperplane sections of M of types \(A_ 2,D_ 4,A_ 3,A_ 4\). The degree of each singularity type is computed. For example, the number of points of a degree \(d\) Gauss-stable hypersurface at which the tangent hyperplane section has an \(A_ 4\) singularity is \(5d(d-2)(3d-7)(17d-36)\). The geometry of the curve of \(A_ 3\) points is studied in detail, as well as the Fano surface of the cubic threefold and its relation to the singularities of the Gauss map.











This page was built for publication: The Gauss map of a generic hypersurface in \({\mathbb{P}}^ 4\)

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q1103692)