7
$\begingroup$

Let $X$ be a projective complex manifold and $Y\subset X$ be an irreducible hypersurface. If $Y$ is smooth, there is a well known Gysin sequence. However, even if $Y$ is not smooth, a kind of Gysin map can still be devised.

Consider a desingularization $f:\widetilde{Y}\to Y$ and the inclusion $i:Y\hookrightarrow X$. We have two maps

$H^i(Y,\mathbb{Q})\to H^i(\widetilde{Y},\mathbb{Q})\to H^{i+2}(X,\mathbb{Q});$

the first one is $f^*$ and the second one is the Poincare dual to $(i\circ f)^*$ (essentially the Gysin map). I am convinced that the composition does not depend on desingularization, though I do not know a rigorous proof of this.

QUESTION: Is the sequence

$H^i(Y,\mathbb{Q})\to H^{i+2}(X,\mathbb{Q})\to H^{i+2}(X\setminus Y,\mathbb{Q})$

exact (as it is in the smooth case)?

All I know about it is a result of Deligne [Theorie de Hodge III. Publ. Math. IHES 44 (1974) pp. 5–77.; Corollary 8.2.8] that

$H^i(\widetilde{Y},\mathbb{Q})\to H^{i+2}(X,\mathbb{Q})\to H^{i+2}(X\setminus Y,\mathbb{Q})$

is exact, but this is much weaker than what I need.

$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ If you work with Chow groups rather than cohomology, a version of this exact sequence is given (with much weaker hypotheses than the ones you have specified) in Fulton's Intersection Theory, Proposition 1.8, page 21. This is not quite what you are asking for, but it suggests that something similar is probably true for cohomology. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 10, 2012 at 2:04
  • $\begingroup$ Thank you. Though I am not sure if it may be helpful. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 10, 2012 at 2:51
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ When $Y$ is smooth, by Poincar\'e duality, the sequence you consider is the dual sequence of the sequence with compact supports $\dots H^{2n-i-2}_c(X\backslash Y,{\bf Q})\to H^{2n-i-2}(X,{\bf Q})\to H^{2n-i-2}(Y,{\bf Q})\to\dots$ This suggests that the "right sequence" without compact supports should be obtained by dualising the above sequence using Grothendieck-Verdier duality (which generalizes Poincar\'e duality to the non-smooth setting). In particular, you would expect the dualising complex to appear on $Y$ (and not just $\bf Q$). $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 10, 2012 at 8:02
  • $\begingroup$ Perhaps, but I hope that the statement may be true as it is. I do not need the Whole Gysin sequence after all. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 10, 2012 at 10:13

0

You must log in to answer this question.

Browse other questions tagged .