Multiplicative sub-Hodge structures of conjugate varieties

For any subfield K of the complex numbers which is not contained in an imaginary quadratic number field, we construct conjugate varieties whose algebras of K-rational (p,p)-classes are not isomorphic. This compares to the Hodge conjecture which predicts isomorphisms when K is contained in an imaginary quadratic number field; additionally, it shows that the complex Hodge structure on the complex cohomology algebra is not invariant under the Aut(\C)-action on varieties. In our proofs, we find simply connected conjugate varieties whose multilinear intersection forms on their second real cohomology groups are not (weakly) isomorphic. Using these, we detect non-homeomorphic conjugate varieties for any fundamental group and in any birational equivalence class of dimension at least 10.Comment: 26 pages; final version, to appear in Forum of Mathematics, Sigm

On the construction problem for Hodge numbers

For any symmetric collection of natural numbers h^{p,q} with p+q=k, we construct a smooth complex projective variety whose weight k Hodge structure has these Hodge numbers; if k=2m is even, then we have to impose that h^{m,m} is bigger than some quadratic bound in m. Combining these results for different weights, we solve the construction problem for the truncated Hodge diamond under two additional assumptions. Our results lead to a complete classification of all nontrivial dominations among Hodge numbers of Kaehler manifolds.Comment: 34 pages; final version, to appear in Geometry & Topolog

Theta divisors with curve summands and the Schottky problem

We prove the following converse of Riemann's Theorem: let (A,\Theta) be an indecomposable principally polarized abelian variety whose theta divisor can be written as a sum of a curve and a codimension two subvariety \Theta=C+Y. Then C is smooth, A is the Jacobian of C, and Y is a translate of W_{g-2}(C). As applications, we determine all theta divisors that are dominated by a product of curves and characterize Jacobians by the existence of a d-dimensional subvariety with curve summand whose twisted ideal sheaf is a generic vanishing sheaf.Comment: 23 pages; final version, to appear in Mathematische Annale

The Hodge ring of Kaehler manifolds

We determine the structure of the Hodge ring, a natural object encoding the Hodge numbers of all compact Kaehler manifolds. As a consequence of this structure, there are no unexpected relations among the Hodge numbers, and no essential differences between the Hodge numbers of smooth complex projective varieties and those of arbitrary Kaehler manifolds. The consideration of certain natural ideals in the Hodge ring allows us to determine exactly which linear combinations of Hodge numbers are birationally invariant, and which are topological invariants. Combining the Hodge and unitary bordism rings, we are also able to treat linear combinations of Hodge and Chern numbers. In particular, this leads to a complete solution of a classical problem of Hirzebruch's.Comment: Dedicated to the memory of F. Hirzebruch. To appear in Compositio Mat

Algebraic structures with unbounded Chern numbers

We determine all Chern numbers of smooth complex projective varieties of dimension at least four which are determined up to finite ambiguity by the underlying smooth manifold. We also give an upper bound on the dimension of the space of linear combinations of Chern numbers with that property and prove its optimality in dimension four.Comment: 15 pages; final version, to appear in Journal of Topolog