Equivalence Relations on Algebraic Cycles

Nathan Stefanik
April 21, 2022
History and Motivation

History and Motivation

History and Motivation

History and Motivation

Algebraic Cycles

Let X be any variety defined over a field k.
Definition A cycle Z of codimension r on X is an element of the free abelian group generated by the closed irreducible subvarieties of codimension r of X. It is a finite formal sum∑ ni[Vi] where ni are integers and Vi are subvarieties.

We denote by Cr(X) the group of all cycles of codimension r on X.

Algebraic Cycles

Let X be any variety defined over a field k.
Definition A cycle Z of codimension r on X is an element of the free abelian group generated by the closed irreducible subvarieties of codimension r of X. It is a finite formal sum ∑ ni[Vi] where ni are integers and Vi are subvarieties.

We denote by Cr(X) the group of all cycles of codimension r on X.

Algebraic Cycles

Let X be any variety defined over a field k.
Definition A cycle Z of codimension r on X is an element of the free abelian group generated by the closed irreducible subvarieties of codimension r of X. It is a finite formal sum ∑ ni[Vi] where ni are integers and Vi are subvarieties.

We denote by Cr(X) the group of all cycles of codimension r on X.

Algebraic Cycles

Let X be any variety defined over a field k.
Definition A cycle Z of codimension r on X is an element of the free abelian group generated by the closed irreducible subvarieties of codimension r of X. It is a finite formal sum ∑ ni[Vi] where ni are integers and Vi are subvarieties.

We denote by Cr(X) the group of all cycles of codimension r on X.

Algebraic Cycles

Algebraic Cycles

A Nice Example

Let r = 1. A cycle of codimension one is a divisor.
Definition Two divisors D1 and D2 on X are linearly equivalent if there exists a rational function on X such that D1 − D2 = (f )0 − (f )∞, where (f )0 denotes the divisor of zeros and (f )∞ denotes the divisor of poles.

Example Let Clin1(X) denote the group of divisors linearly equivalent to 0. Then, the quotient group C1(X)∕Clin1(X) is Pic X, the group of linear equivalence classes of divisors on X.

A Nice Example

Let r = 1. A cycle of codimension one is a divisor.
Definition Two divisors D1 and D2 on X are linearly equivalent if there exists a rational function on X such that D1 − D2 = (f )0 − (f )∞, where (f )0 denotes the divisor of zeros and (f )∞ denotes the divisor of poles.

Example Let Clin1(X) denote the group of divisors linearly equivalent to 0. Then, the quotient group C1(X)∕Clin1(X) is Pic X, the group of linear equivalence classes of divisors on X.

A Nice Example

For X = ℙn, C1(X)∕Clin1(X)∼=ℤ.
Rational Equivalence

Definition Two cycles Z1 and Z2 of codimension r on X are rationally equivalent if there is a cycle Z on X × ℙ1, which intersects each fiber X ×{t} in something of codimension r, and such that Z1 and Z2 are obtained respectively by intersecting Z with the fibers X ×{0} and X ×{1}.

Rational Equivalence

Definition Two cycles Z1 and Z2 of codimension r on X are rationally equivalent if there is a cycle Z on X × ℙ1, which intersects each fiber X ×{t} in something of codimension r, and such that Z1 and Z2 are obtained respectively by intersecting Z with the fibers X ×{0} and X ×{1}.

Rational Equivalence is an Equivalence Relation

Rational Equivalence is an Equivalence Relation

Rational Equivalence is an Equivalence Relation

Algebraic Equivalence

Definition Let C be an irreducible curve, and a,b ∈ C be any two points. Two cycles Z1 and Z2 of codimension r on X are algebraically equivalent if there is a cycle Z on X × C, which intersects each fiber X ×{t} in something of codimension r, and such that Z1 and Z2 are obtained respectively by intersecting Z with the fibers X ×{a} and X ×{b}.

Remark Cratr(X) ⊂ Calgr(X) ⊂ Cr(X)

Algebraic Equivalence

Definition Let C be an irreducible curve, and a,b ∈ C be any two points. Two cycles Z1 and Z2 of codimension r on X are algebraically equivalent if there is a cycle Z on X × C, which intersects each fiber X ×{t} in something of codimension r, and such that Z1 and Z2 are obtained respectively by intersecting Z with the fibers X ×{a} and X ×{b}.

Remark Cratr(X) ⊂ Calgr(X) ⊂ Cr(X)

Algebraic Equivalence

Definition Let C be an irreducible curve, and a,b ∈ C be any two points. Two cycles Z1 and Z2 of codimension r on X are algebraically equivalent if there is a cycle Z on X × C, which intersects each fiber X ×{t} in something of codimension r, and such that Z1 and Z2 are obtained respectively by intersecting Z with the fibers X ×{a} and X ×{b}.

Remark Cratr(X) ⊂ Calgr(X) ⊂ Cr(X)

Other Adequate Equivalence Relations

Other Adequate Equivalence Relations

Further Study and Applications

Further Study and Applications

References