On the topology of a resolution of isolated singularities

Let $Y$ be a complex projective variety of dimension $n$ with isolated singularities, $\pi:X\to Y$ a resolution of singularities, $G:=\pi^{-1}{\rm{Sing}}(Y)$ the exceptional locus. From Decomposition Theorem one knows that the map $H^{k-1}(G)\to H^k(Y,Y\backslash {\rm{Sing}}(Y))$ vanishes for $k>n$. Assuming this vanishing, we give a short proof of Decomposition Theorem for $\pi$. A consequence is a short proof of the Decomposition Theorem for $\pi$ in all cases where one can prove the vanishing directly. This happens when either $Y$ is a normal surface, or when $\pi$ is the blowing-up of $Y$ along ${\rm{Sing}}(Y)$ with smooth and connected fibres, or when $\pi$ admits a natural Gysin morphism. We prove that this last condition is equivalent to say that the map $H^{k-1}(G)\to H^k(Y,Y\backslash {\rm{Sing}}(Y))$ vanishes for any $k$, and that the pull-back $\pi^*_k:H^k(Y)\to H^k(X)$ is injective. This provides a relationship between Decomposition Theorem and Bivariant Theory.Comment: 18 page

N\'eron-Severi group of a general hypersurface

In this paper we extend the well known theorem of Angelo Lopez concerning the Picard group of the general space projective surface containing a given smooth projective curve, to the intermediate N\'eron-Severi group of a general hypersurface in any smooth projective variety.Comment: 14 pages, to appear on Communications in Contemporary Mathematic

On a resolution of singularities with two strata

Let $X$ be a complex, irreducible, quasi-projective variety, and $\pi:\widetilde X\to X$ a resolution of singularities of $X$. Assume that the singular locus ${\text{Sing}}(X)$ of $X$ is smooth, that the induced map $\pi^{-1}({\text{Sing}}(X))\to {\text{Sing}}(X)$ is a smooth fibration admitting a cohomology extension of the fiber, and that $\pi^{-1}({\text{Sing}}(X))$ has a negative normal bundle in $\widetilde X$. We present a very short and explicit proof of the Decomposition Theorem for $\pi$, providing a way to compute the intersection cohomology of $X$ by means of the cohomology of $\widetilde X$ and of $\pi^{-1}({\text{Sing}}(X))$. Our result applies to special Schubert varieties with two strata, even if $\pi$ is non-small. And to certain hypersurfaces of $\mathbb P^5$ with one-dimensional singular locus.Comment: 19 pages, no figure

Monodromy of a family of hypersurfaces

Let $Y$ be an $(m+1)$-dimensional irreducible smooth complex projective variety embedded in a projective space. Let $Z$ be a closed subscheme of $Y$, and $\delta$ be a positive integer such that $\mathcal I_{Z,Y}(\delta)$ is generated by global sections. Fix an integer $d\geq \delta +1$, and assume the general divisor X \in |H^0(Y,\ic_{Z,Y}(d))| is smooth. Denote by $H^m(X;\mathbb Q)_{\perp Z}^{\text{van}}$ the quotient of $H^m(X;\mathbb Q)$ by the cohomology of $Y$ and also by the cycle classes of the irreducible components of dimension $m$ of $Z$. In the present paper we prove that the monodromy representation on $H^m(X;\mathbb Q)_{\perp Z}^{\text{van}}$ for the family of smooth divisors X \in |H^0(Y,\ic_{Z,Y}(d))| is irreducible.Comment: 13 pages, to appear on Ann. Scient. Ec. Norm. Su