Shuijing Crystal Li Rice University Mathematics Department

1. Shuijing Crystal Li Rice University Mathematics Department

3. An open problem z y x

6. Q: Among numerous algebraic varieties, why do we care about “ del Pezzo surfaces”? Theorem ( Iskovskikh) • Given a rational variety X of dimension 2 over perfect field k, at least one of the following happens: • X is birational to a conic bundle over a conic • X is k-birational to a del Pezzo surface. Hence, we understand the del Pezzo surfaces, we understand almost all the rational surfaces. How wonderful is that?

7. Our special algebraic variety : del Pezzo surfaces Definition Remark Algebraic Point of View: From now on, we can then think of the del Pezzo surfaces as subsets of projective space given as the zero locus of some homogeneous polynomials.

8. Let’s jump to geometry Many interesting arithmetic questions are connected with the class of del Pezzo surfaces, as such surfaces are geometrically rational (i.e. rational over the complex field). It is especially interesting to look at problems concerning the question about the existence of k-rational points, where k is a non-closed field.

9. After learning about the blow-up and using it to construct del Pezzo surfaces, we will turn to study their geometric structure. Theorem(Yu.I.Manin) Classification of del Pezzo surfaces Let X be a del Pezzo surface of degree d. (a) 1 ≤ d ≤ 9. (b) (Classification) If the base field is separably closed, either: • X is isomorphic to the blow-up of a projective plane at k = 9 − d points, or • X is isomorphic to P1xP1 (and d = 8) In particular, if d = 9, then X is isomorphic to the projective plane P2 (the blow-up of P2 at no points). (c) (Converse) If X is the blow-up of a projective plane at k = 9 − d points in generic position (no three points collinear, no six on a conic, no eight of them on a cubic having a node at one of them), then X is a del Pezzo surface. Another way to study the geometry of an algebraic surface is to look at the curves that lie on the surface. Since our del Pezzo surfaces can be embedded into projective space, we can study whether any “lines” in projective space are completely contained in our surface. Question: Are there any “lines” on del Pezzo surfaces?

10. Amazingly, the answer is YES, and there are finitely many of them! How many? How are they configured? From now on, “lines” means projective lines, and will be replaced by exceptional curves or (-1)-curves. Theorem Every del Pezzo surface has only finitely many exceptional curves, and their structure is independent of the location of the points blown up, provided that they are general.

11. Remark We can easily seen from the table above, the structure of del pezzo surfaces of degree d>=4 are relatively easy. For 7>=d>=5,all Del Pezzo surfaces of the same degree are isomorphic. Back to Algebra and answer a previous question: Theorem (Yu.I.Manin,1986) The defining equation of del Pezzo surface

12. An overview of Cubic Surfaces Cubic Surfaces A cubic surface is the vanishing set of a homogenous polynomial of degree 3 in P3, i.e. it consists of all (x:y:z:w) in P3 with: a0x3 + a1x2y + a2x2z + ... a18z2w + a19w3 = 0 History • In the 19th century, mathematicians started to study the structure of such vanishing sets of polynomials of different degrees in P3, called algebraic surfaces. It turned out, that each generic cubic surface contains 27 straight lines. • From this starting point, a lot of mathematicians have studied cubic surfaces and the structure of the 27 lines upon it. • In 1861, Clebsch showed, that the defining equation of a cubic surface can be put, in a unique way, in the so called pentahedral form, which allows us to calculate the equations of the 27 lines directly from the equation.

13. Examples of Cubic Surfaces The Clebsch Diagonal Surface The Clebsch Diagonal Surface is one of the most famous cubic surfaces because of its symmetry and the fact that it's the only one with ten Eckardt Points. Defining equation 0= x3 + y3 + z3 + w3 - (x+y+z+w)3 From the picture below the surface , we can see that there are ten Eckardt Points (points, where three lines meet in a point). 10 Eckardt points and 27 lines

14. Examples of Cubic Surfaces The Cayley Cubic The Cayley Cubic Surface contains four double points (which is the maximum number for any cubic surface). Defining Equation is 4(x3 + y3 + z3 + w3) - (x+y+z+w)3. From the picture below the surface, one sees immediately, that there are four double points on the surface (each one corresponds to a set of three points on a line in the plane). 4 double points

15. Rational Points on Cubic Surfaceon Cubic Surface Theorem ( Jano’sKollar, 2000) Theorem ( Unirationality of del Pezzo surface)

16. From Kollar’s theorem, we discover that the unirationality of an algebraic surface is closely related to the existence of k-rational point. Q : Does there exist a cubic hypersurface with unique k-rational point?

17. Del Pezzo Surface of degree 1 Q : Does there really exist a del Pezzo surface of degree 1 with unique k-rational point over some local field?

18. Theorem ( A. Weil)

19. Possible Unique rational point over F3 Possible Unique rational point over F7 Possible Unique rational point over F4 Possible Unique rational point over F2

20. Before running to computer for help, is there any other way? YES! Geometry

21. Finally, using computer program running through all possible coefficients, then I found: there is no degree 1 del Pezzo surface with unique rational point over any local field

22. Theorem Let X be smooth del Pezzo surfaces of degree 1 defined as above, then X has at least 3 rational points over any finite field

23. Del Pezzo Surface of degree 2 Same Question Same Approach Different Answer

24. Finally, using computer program running through all possible coefficients.

25. Theorem

26. Acknowledgement Professor Brendan Hassett Professor Robert Hardt Professor Ron Goldman Funding: Supported by NSF