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Let $X$ be a complex smooth cubic threefold and $C$ be a smooth twisted cubic, then $C\subset Y\subset X$ for a unique cubic surface $Y$ in $X$ (or equivalently a hyperplane section of $X$). When $Y$ is smooth, we have $27$ lines on $Y$.

What can we say about the position of the a line $L$ and the twisted cubic $C$ (or say $\mathcal{O}_L(C)$)?

I will ask a question about the singular $Y$ separately.

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    $\begingroup$ The cubic surface $Y$ may be singular. $\endgroup$
    – Sasha
    Commented Dec 6, 2022 at 20:31
  • $\begingroup$ @Sasha Thank you for your comment. Sure it can be singular. $\endgroup$
    – anon
    Commented Dec 6, 2022 at 20:43

1 Answer 1

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Although this is not necessarily, let me assume that $Y$ is a smooth cubic surface. Then the linear system of a twisted cubic curve $C \subset Y$ generates a linear system that induces a morphism $$ \pi \colon Y \to \mathbb{P}^2 $$ which is a blowup of 6 points, say $P_1,\dots,P_6$, and so that $\mathcal{O}_Y(C)$ is the pullback of $\mathcal{O}_{\mathbb{P}^2}(C)$. In other words, $C$ is the preimage of a line under $\pi$.

If $C$ is irreducible, the corresponding line does not pass through the points $P_i$. Therefore, it doesn't intersect 6 lines on $Y$ (the exceptional divisors over the $P_i$), intersect ones 15 lines (the strict transforms of lines through $P_i$ and $P_j$, $i \ne j$), and intersect twice 6 lines (the strict transforms of conics).

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  • $\begingroup$ Thank you for your answer. What about the case when $Y$ is not smooth? Do we have the same thing? $\endgroup$
    – anon
    Commented Dec 6, 2022 at 20:41
  • $\begingroup$ Of course I mean the same result but not the same argument. $\endgroup$
    – anon
    Commented Dec 6, 2022 at 21:53
  • $\begingroup$ It would rather be a similar argument, but different result (there will be less line on $Y$, so the result couldn't be the same). For discussion of a similar question see Lehn, Christian; Lehn, Manfred; Sorger, Christoph; van Straten, Duco. Twisted cubics on cubic fourfolds. J. Reine Angew. Math. 731 (2017), 87--128. $\endgroup$
    – Sasha
    Commented Dec 7, 2022 at 4:27

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