A Division Theorem for Nodal Projective Hypersurfaces

Abstract

Let $V_{n,d}$ be the variety of equations for hypersurfaces of degree $d$ in $\mathbb{P}^n(\mathbb{C})$ with singularities not worse than simple nodes. We prove that the orbit map $G'=SL_{n+1}(\mathbb{C}) \to V_{n,d}$, $g\mapsto g\cdot s_0$, $s_0\in V_{n,d}$ is surjective on the rational cohomology if $n>1$, $d\geq 3$, and $(n,d)\neq (2,3)$. As a result, the Leray-Serre spectral sequence of the map from $V_{n,d}$ to the homotopy quotient $(V_{n,d})_{hG'}$ degenerates at $E_2$, and so does the Leray spectral sequence of the quotient map $V_{n,d}\to V_{n,d}/G'$ provided the geometric quotient $V_{n,d}/G'$ exists. We show that the latter is the case when $d>n+1$.