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# Sextic surfaces with ten triple points

## 1 Nine triple points

The clue to the classification of sextics with many triple points is the study of exceptional curves of the first kind on the minimal resolution. Let $`X`$ be a sextic with isolated triple points and $`\stackrel{~}{X}`$ its minimal resolution. Whenever the canonical divisor $`K_{\stackrel{~}{X}}`$ is effective, any exceptional curve of the first kind $`E`$ is automatically a component, as $`K_{\stackrel{~}{X}}E=1`$. Therefore $`E`$ comes from a rational curve on $`X`$ which is contained in the base locus of the system of quadrics through the triple points. Assume that $`X`$ has nine triple points $`P_1,\mathrm{},P_9`$. Let $`Q`$ be the unique (irreducible) canonical quadric surface and let $`K=QX`$ be the adjoint curve. The resolution $`\stackrel{~}{X}`$ has exactly three disjoint $`(1)`$-curves $`C_1,C_2,C_3`$ of degrees $`c_1,c_2,c_3\{2,4,5,6,7,8\}`$ which are components of $`K`$. There are two possibilities: either $`C_1+C_2+C_3=K`$ or not. In the first case $`\stackrel{~}{X}`$ is a $`K3`$ surface blown up in three points. By \[EPS\], Prop. 4.10, there are up to permutation three choices for the degrees:

$$(c_1,c_2,c_3)\{(2,2,8),(2,4,6),(4,4,4)\}.$$

In the second case we end up with an effective canonical divisor after blowing down $`C_1`$, $`C_2`$ and $`C_3`$. Now $`\stackrel{~}{X}`$ is the blowup of a minimal properly elliptic surface in three points and by \[EPS\], Prop. 4.9, up to permutation

$$(c_1,c_2,c_3)\{(2,2,2),(2,2,4)\}.$$

In all cases the curves $`C_i`$ of degree $`c_i`$ can be constructed as complete intersection of $`Q`$ and a surface of degree $`c_i/2`$. In particular, if $`c_i=2`$ we have five points on a conic in a plane. Such a conic will be called a $`(1)`$-conic. We call the triple $`(c_1,c_2,c_3)`$ the type of the surface.

For every $`(c_1,c_2,c_3)\{(2,2,8),(2,4,6),(4,4,4)\}`$ there exists a seven parameter family of sextic surfaces with nine triple points and three $`(1)`$-curves of degrees $`c_1`$, $`c_2`$ and $`c_3`$ (\[EPS\], Thm. 4.13). Moreover $`X`$ occurs in a pencil of the form

$$\begin{array}{cc}\hfill \alpha K_1K_2K_3+\beta Q^3=0,& \mathrm{if}(c_1,c_2,c_3)=(4,4,4),\hfill \\ \hfill \alpha L_1K_2C_3+\beta Q^3=0,& \mathrm{if}(c_1,c_2,c_3)=(2,4,6),\hfill \\ \hfill \alpha L_1L_2Q_3+\beta Q^3=0,& \mathrm{if}(c_1,c_2,c_3)=(2,2,8).\hfill \end{array}$$

Here $`Q`$ is the unique canonical surface, $`L_i`$ stands for a linear form, $`K_i`$ for a singular quadric, $`C_3`$ defines a four nodal cubic and $`Q_3`$ a quartic surface with a triple point and six double points. The multiplicities of the three surfaces in the nine singular points are displayed in Table 1. Note that we do not distinguish between a surface and the form defining it, which we also call its equation.

Figure 1 shows a surface of type $`(4,4,4)`$. The picture was made with Stephan Endraß’ program surf \[En\].

For every $`(c_1,c_2,c_3)\{(2,2,2),(2,2,4)\}`$ there exists an eight parameter family of sextic surfaces with nine triple points and three $`(1)`$-curves of degrees $`c_1`$, $`c_2`$ and $`c_3`$ (\[EPS\], Thm. 4.14). Moreover $`X`$ occurs in a web of the form

$$\begin{array}{cccc}\hfill \alpha L_1L_2L_3C+& \beta L_1L_2L_3HQ& +\gamma Q^3=0,& \mathrm{if}(c_1,c_2,c_3)=(2,2,2),\hfill \\ \hfill \alpha L_1L_2K_3Q^{}+& \beta L_1L_2K_3Q& +\gamma Q^3=0,& \mathrm{if}(c_1,c_2,c_3)=(2,2,4).\hfill \end{array}$$

Again $`L_i`$ stands for a linear form. In the case $`(2,2,2)`$ the plane $`H`$ passes through the three triple points not lying on the double lines of $`L_1L_2L_3`$. The reducible cubic $`HQ`$ is an element of the pencil of cubics through all points with double points in $`P_7`$, $`P_8`$ and $`P_9`$, and $`C`$ is another such cubic. In the case $`(2,2,4)`$ the surface $`K_3`$ is a quadric cone and $`Q^{}`$ is a smooth quadric not passing through $`P_6`$. The multiplicities in the nine triple points of the surfaces giving $`(1)`$-curves are displayed in Table 2. A surface of type $`(2,2,2)`$ is shown in Figure 2.

The three families of blown-up $`K3`$-surfaces are related via Cremona transformations. The ordinary plane Cremona transformation is the rational map defined by the linear system of conics through three points in general position. In suitable coordinates it can be given by the formula $`(x:y:z)(1/x:1/y:1/z)`$. This formula generalises to higher dimensions. In particular, the space transformation, also known as reciprocal transformation,

$$(x:y:z:w)\left(\frac{1}{x}:\frac{1}{y}:\frac{1}{z}:\frac{1}{w}\right)$$

simultaneously blows up the vertices and blows down the faces of the coordinate tetrahedron. The vertices are called fundamental points of the reciprocal transformation. Let $`X^3`$ by a surface of degree $`d`$ not containing any of the coordinate planes. Let $`m_1`$, …, $`m_4`$ be the multiplicities of $`X`$ in the fundamental points. Then the image $`Y`$ of $`X`$ is a surface of degree $`3dm_1\mathrm{}m_4`$. In many cases $`X`$ will be singular in the fundamental points with singularities obtained from contracting the intersection curves of $`X`$ with the coordinate planes.

Specifically, a reciprocal transformation with fundamental points $`P_1`$, $`P_2`$, $`P_4`$ and $`P_5`$ will transform a surface of type $`(4,4,4)`$ into one of type $`(2,4,6)`$. To get from there to a surface of type $`(2,2,8)`$ we can apply a transformation with fundamental points $`P_2`$, $`P_5`$, $`P_6`$ and $`P_7`$, where the points are as in Table 1. The two other families are also related via reciprocal transformations.

## 2 Families with ten triple points

For a sextic surface $`X`$ with ten isolated triple points $`p_g(\stackrel{~}{X})=0`$ (\[EPS\], Cor. 4.6) so the ten points never lie on a quadric. Leaving out one point the remaining nine triple points determine a quadric $`Q`$. The general element of the pencil spanned by our sextic and $`Q^3`$ is a surface with nine isolated triple points and belongs therefore at least to one of the five families above.

###### Lemma 1

A sextic with ten triple points belongs to the closure of the family of type $`(2,2,2)`$ or of the family of type $`(4,4,4)`$.

Proof. No three triple points lie on a line (\[EPS\], Lemma 3.1). Two different $`(1)`$-conics meet in two triple points (\[EPS\], Cor. 4.8). We study the planes containing $`(1)`$-conics. If three planes have a line in common, there would be $`2+33=11`$ triple points; if four plane have a triple point in common, they contain $`1+6+4=11`$ points, again contradicting that the surface has ten triple points. The number of planes is at most six. If there are exactly six, then each triple point lies in three planes, and leaving out one of the points gives sextics with three planes, so of type $`(2,2,2)`$. If there are five planes, we have ten lines each containing two triple points, so five points lie in three planes and five only in two. Leaving out a point in only two planes gives a sextic of type $`(2,2,2)`$. If there are four planes and only one point lies in three of them, the fourth plane contains six points. So there are at least two points in three planes each. A plane containing them both has only four points on intersection lines so leaving out the fifth point in such a plane gives a sextic of type $`(2,2,2)`$. If there are three planes, they can contain at most nine points, so by leaving out the point not on a plane we keep three planes. If there are only two planes we can leave out a point on the intersection line to get sextics without planes, so of type $`(4,4,4)`$. If there is only one plane we leave out any point in that plane.  $`\mathrm{}`$

### 2.1 Type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}`$

We describe equations for the surfaces. After a change of coordinates we may assume that the three planes are the sides of the coordinate tetrahedron. The remaining coordinate transformations are given by diagonal matrices. We have two points on each axis in affine space and three additional ones on the triangle at infinity. We take them to be $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}𝝀\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}𝝁\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$ and $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}𝝂\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$. The equation has now the form

$$𝜶𝑸^\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝜷𝒙𝒚𝒛𝒕𝑸\mathbf{+}𝜸𝒙𝒚𝒛𝑲\mathbf{,}$$

with $`𝑲`$ is a four-nodal cubic passing through $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$. With notation slightly different from \[EPS\] we get

$`𝑸`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}𝒕^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝒕\mathbf{(}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}𝒙\mathbf{+}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}𝒚\mathbf{+}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒛\mathbf{)}`$
$`\mathbf{+}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}𝒙\mathbf{(}𝝂𝒙\mathbf{}𝒚\mathbf{}𝝁𝝂𝒛\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}𝒚\mathbf{(}𝝀𝒚\mathbf{}𝒛\mathbf{}𝝀𝝂𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒛\mathbf{(}𝝁𝒛\mathbf{}𝒙\mathbf{}𝝀𝝁𝒚\mathbf{)}\mathbf{,}`$
$`𝑲`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`𝒕^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝝀𝝂𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒙\mathbf{+}𝝀𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒚\mathbf{+}𝝁𝝂𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}𝒛\mathbf{)}`$
$`\mathbf{+}𝒕\mathbf{\left(}𝝀𝒃_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒙\mathbf{(}𝝂𝒙\mathbf{}𝒚\mathbf{}𝝁𝝂𝒛\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}𝝁𝒃_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒚\mathbf{(}𝝀𝒚\mathbf{}𝒛\mathbf{}𝝀𝝂𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}𝝂𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}𝒛\mathbf{(}𝝁𝒛\mathbf{}𝒙\mathbf{}𝝀𝝁𝒚\mathbf{)}\mathbf{\right)}`$
$`\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}𝝂𝒙\mathbf{}𝒚\mathbf{}𝝁𝝂𝒛\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝝀𝒚\mathbf{}𝒛\mathbf{}𝝀𝝂𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝝁𝒛\mathbf{}𝒙\mathbf{}𝝀𝝁𝒚\mathbf{)}\mathbf{.}`$
We use the remaining freedom in coordinate transformations to place the putative tenth triple point in $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$. We compute in the affine chart $`𝒕\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟏}`$. The condition for a triple point is then that the function, its derivatives and the second order derivatives vanish at $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$. This gives ten equations which are linear in $`𝜶`$, $`𝜷`$ and $`𝜸`$, so we may eliminate them: the maximal minors of the coefficient matrix have to vanish. We have

$`{\displaystyle \frac{\mathbf{}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟑}}{\mathbf{}𝒙}}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟑}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{,}`$
$`{\displaystyle \frac{\mathbf{}^\mathrm{𝟐}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟑}}{\mathbf{}𝒙^\mathrm{𝟐}}}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟑}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}𝑸_{𝒙𝒙}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟔}𝑸𝑸_𝒙^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}`$
$`{\displaystyle \frac{\mathbf{}^\mathrm{𝟐}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟑}}{\mathbf{}𝒙\mathbf{}𝒚}}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟑}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}𝑸_{𝒙𝒚}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟔}𝑸𝑸_𝒙𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{.}`$
All these expressions are divisible by $`𝑸`$.

Now we plug in $`𝒙\mathbf{=}𝒚\mathbf{=}𝒛\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟏}`$. From $`𝑸`$ we get

$$\begin{array}{c}\text{ }𝑸\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}\text{ }\hfill \\ \text{ }\mathbf{=}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{+}𝝂\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝝁𝝂\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝝀\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝝀𝝂\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝝁\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝝀𝝁\mathbf{)}\mathbf{,}\text{ }\hfill \end{array}$$

an expression which we continue to denote by $`𝑸`$. We also get expressions for all derivatives. Likewise we have

$`𝑲`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`𝝀𝝂𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{+}𝝀𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝝁𝝂𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}`$
$`\mathbf{+}𝝀𝒃_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{(}𝝂\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝝁𝝂\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}𝝁𝒃_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝝀\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝝀𝝂\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}𝝂𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝁\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝝀𝝁\mathbf{)}`$
$`\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}𝝂\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝝁𝝂\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝝀\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝝀𝝂\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝝁\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝝀𝝁\mathbf{)}\mathbf{.}`$
Furthermore

$`{\displaystyle \frac{\mathbf{}𝒙𝒚𝒛𝑲}{\mathbf{}𝒙}}\mathbf{|}_{\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathbf{(}𝒚𝒛𝑲\mathbf{+}𝒙𝒚𝒛𝑲_𝒙\mathbf{)}_{\mathbf{|}_{\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}}}\mathbf{=}𝑲\mathbf{+}𝑲_𝒙\mathbf{,}`$
$`{\displaystyle \frac{\mathbf{}^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒙𝒚𝒛𝑲}{\mathbf{}𝒙^\mathrm{𝟐}}}\mathbf{|}_{\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}𝒚𝒛𝑲_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝒙𝒚𝒛𝑲_{𝒙𝒙}\mathbf{)}_{\mathbf{|}_{\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}}}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟐}𝑲_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑲_{𝒙𝒙}\mathbf{,}`$
$`{\displaystyle \frac{\mathbf{}^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒙𝒚𝒛𝑲}{\mathbf{}𝒙\mathbf{}𝒚}}\mathbf{|}_{\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathbf{(}𝒛𝑲\mathbf{+}𝒙𝒛𝑲_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝒚𝒛𝑲_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝒙𝒚𝒛𝑲_{𝒙𝒚}\mathbf{)}_{\mathbf{|}_{\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}}}`$
$`\mathbf{=}𝑲\mathbf{+}𝑲_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑲_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝑲_{𝒙𝒚}\mathbf{.}`$
After dividing the first row by $`𝑸`$, which is allowed because the tenth triple point does not lie on the quadric $`𝑸`$, our matrix has the following form:

$$\mathbf{\left(}\begin{array}{ccccccc}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}& \mathrm{𝟑}𝑸𝑸_𝒙& \mathbf{}& \mathrm{𝟑}𝑸𝑸_{𝒙𝒙}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟔}𝑸_𝒙^\mathrm{𝟐}& \mathbf{}& \mathrm{𝟑}𝑸𝑸_{𝒙𝒚}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟔}𝑸_𝒙𝑸_𝒚& \mathbf{}\\ 𝑸& 𝑸\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒙& \mathbf{}& \mathrm{𝟐}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑸_{𝒙𝒙}& \mathbf{}& 𝑸\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝑸_{𝒙𝒚}& \mathbf{}\\ 𝑲& 𝑲\mathbf{+}𝑲_𝒙& \mathbf{}& \mathrm{𝟐}𝑲_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑲_{𝒙𝒙}& \mathbf{}& 𝑲\mathbf{+}𝑲_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑲_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝑲_{𝒙𝒚}& \mathbf{}\end{array}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{.}$$

The vanishing of the maximal minors is the necessary condition for multiplicity $`\mathrm{𝟑}`$ in the point $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$, but it is not sufficient for the existence of a surface with only isolated singularities. We have to cut away unwanted solutions, like $`𝑸\mathbf{=}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{=}𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{=}𝑸_𝒛\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, which makes all minors vanish, but does not give isolated triple points. The minors are rather formidable expressions. We first try to simplify the matrix itself.

We start by subtracting $`\mathrm{𝟑}𝑸`$ times the second row from the first row to remove all second derivatives from the first row. After that we apply only column operations. Some experimentation with the matrix showed that it is possible to get two zeroes in one column. We observe that $`𝑸_{𝒙𝒙}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}𝝂𝑸_{𝒙𝒚}\mathbf{+}𝝂^\mathrm{𝟐}𝑸_{𝒚𝒚}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$. Note that one can write $`𝑸\mathbf{(}𝒙\mathbf{,}𝒚\mathbf{,}𝒛\mathbf{,}𝒕\mathbf{)}\mathbf{=}\frac{\mathrm{𝟏}}{\mathrm{𝟐}}𝑸_{𝒙𝒙}𝒙^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝑸_{𝒙𝒚}𝒙𝒚\mathbf{+}\mathbf{}\mathbf{+}\frac{\mathrm{𝟏}}{\mathrm{𝟐}}𝑸_{𝒕𝒕}𝒕^\mathrm{𝟐}`$, as the second derivatives are constants. The identity $`𝑸_{𝒙𝒙}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}𝝂𝑸_{𝒙𝒚}\mathbf{+}𝝂^\mathrm{𝟐}𝑸_{𝒚𝒚}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ now follows from the fact that the point $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}𝝂\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$ lies on the quadric. The same point is a double point of the cubic $`𝑲`$, so all first derivatives vanish, giving by the same argument that $`\mathbf{(}𝑲_𝒘\mathbf{)}_{𝒙𝒙}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}𝝂\mathbf{(}𝑲_𝒘\mathbf{)}_{𝒙𝒚}\mathbf{+}𝝂^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝑲_𝒘\mathbf{)}_{𝒚𝒚}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, where $`𝒘`$ is one of $`\mathbf{(}𝒙\mathbf{,}𝒚\mathbf{,}𝒛\mathbf{,}𝒕\mathbf{)}`$. Applying Euler’s relation $`\mathrm{𝟑}𝑲\mathbf{=}𝒙𝑲_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝒚𝑲_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝒛𝑲_𝒛\mathbf{+}𝒕𝑲_𝒕`$ in the point $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$ yields by adding that also $`𝑲_{𝒙𝒙}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}𝝂𝑲_{𝒙𝒚}\mathbf{+}𝝂^\mathrm{𝟐}𝑲_{𝒚𝒚}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, where now $`𝑲_{𝒙𝒙}`$ again stands for the second derivative evaluated in $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$. Equivalent equations hold for the other second partials.

We get in this way three columns with two zeroes by elementary column operations, if we multiply one column, say the one containing containing $`𝑸_{𝒙𝒙}`$, with $`\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{+}𝝀𝝁𝝂`$. The vanishing of this factor expresses that the three points $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$ and $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}`$ lie on a line, so we may introduce new unwanted solutions, which we cut away later in the computation. The result is

$$\mathbf{\left(}\begin{array}{ccccccc}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟐}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}& \mathbf{}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}& \mathbf{}& 𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟑}𝑸𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟑}𝑸𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟔}𝑸_𝒙𝑸_𝒚& \mathbf{}& 𝑬_𝝂& \mathbf{}\\ 𝑸& 𝑸_𝒙& \mathbf{}& 𝑸_{𝒙𝒚}& \mathbf{}& \mathrm{𝟎}& \mathbf{}\\ 𝑲& 𝑲_𝒙& \mathbf{}& 𝑲_{𝒙𝒚}& \mathbf{}& \mathrm{𝟎}& \mathbf{}\end{array}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{,}$$

where $`𝑬_𝝂`$ is the first of three similar equations

$$\begin{array}{cc}𝑬_𝝂\mathbf{:}\hfill & \mathbf{(}𝝂^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}𝑸\mathbf{(}𝝂𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝂𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{)}^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\\ 𝑬_𝝀\mathbf{:}\hfill & \mathbf{(}𝝁^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝝁\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝁\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}𝑸\mathbf{(}𝝁𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒛\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝁𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒛\mathbf{)}^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\\ 𝑬_𝝁\mathbf{:}\hfill & \mathbf{(}𝝀^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝝀\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝀\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}𝑸\mathbf{(}𝝀𝑸_𝒛\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝀𝑸_𝒛\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{)}^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{.}\end{array}$$

These equations have to hold, for if $`𝑬_𝝂\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, then $`𝜶\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ and the equation for the sextic is divisible by $`𝒙𝒚𝒛`$. Considered as quadratic equation in $`𝑸`$ and $`𝝂𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒙`$ the equation $`𝑬_𝝂`$ has discriminant $`\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝂\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}^\mathrm{𝟐}`$. The case $`𝝂\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟏}`$ is excluded: if $`𝝂\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟏}`$ then $`\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{=}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{}𝑸\mathbf{=}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝝁\mathbf{)}`$, which means that the point $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$ is a triple point, which lies on the line through the tenth point $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$ and $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$. Therefore no solution is defined over $``$. We have to adjoin $`\sqrt{\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟑}}`$ or what amounts to the same, the third roots of unity.

By factorising $`𝑬_𝜿`$, $`𝜿\mathbf{=}𝝀\mathbf{,}𝝁\mathbf{,}𝝂`$, we get linear equations, which express $`𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝝂𝑸_𝒚`$, $`𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝝀𝑸_𝒛`$ and $`𝑸_𝒛\mathbf{+}𝝁𝑸_𝒙`$ as multiples of $`𝑸`$. To express $`𝑸_𝒙`$, $`𝑸_𝒚`$ and $`𝑸_𝒛`$ themselves as multiples of $`𝑸`$ we have to multiply with the determinant $`\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{+}𝝀𝝁𝝂`$ of the system. By doing so to the fifth, sixth and seventh column of our matrix we can get use the first column to get zeroes on the first row in all other columns. This reduces our problem to the minors of a $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{\times }\mathrm{𝟔}\mathbf{)}`$-matrix.

The analysis up to this point is basically contained in \[EPS\]. To proceed further we note that our three linear equations are in fact linear in $`𝒃_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}`$, $`𝒃_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}`$ and $`𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}`$. Therefore they can be used to eliminate the $`𝒃_𝒊`$. For the second row this is quite easy to do: by column operations we can remove the $`𝒃_𝒊`$ from column 5, 6 and 7 and then we take suitable linear combinations of columns 2, 3 and 4 with coefficients polynomials in $`\mathbf{(}𝝀\mathbf{,}𝝁\mathbf{,}𝝂\mathbf{)}`$ such that the entries on the second row have the same coefficients at the $`𝒃_𝒊𝒄_𝒊𝒋𝒄_𝒌`$ as our three equations. For the third row one has to first multiply with a quite complicated determinant, which leads to long expressions. At this stage the use of the computer becomes indispensable. The new second column turns out to be divisible by $`𝝂\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}`$, and likewise the third by $`𝝀\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}`$, the fourth by $`𝝁\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}`$. After division the entries $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}`$, $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{)}`$ and $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{)}`$ are equal, which means that we again get columns with two zeroes, giving two equations. From the remaining $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{\times }\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{)}`$-matrix we take the 6 maximal minors. Now we have a system of 8 rather complicated equations in 6 variables. We still have to cut away unwanted solutions, those lying in $`𝑸\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, $`𝝀𝝁𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, $`𝝀\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟏}`$, $`𝝁\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟏}`$, $`𝝂\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟏}`$ and $`𝒄_𝒊\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$. This can be done in Singular as follows. First we homogenise with an extra variable $`𝒉`$. To cut away the solutions in $`𝑸\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ we adjoin the inhomogeneous equation $`𝑸\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}`$, where $`𝑸`$ is made homogeneous with $`𝒉`$, and compute a standard basis. Then we homogenise again with $`𝑸`$. By doing the same for the other unwanted solutions we finally obtain equations of reasonably low degree. To do the calculation in reasonable time it is best to compute over a finite field $`\mathbf{/}𝒑`$ containing the third roots of unity. One can then try to lift the result to characteristic zero and check whether the guessed equations really solve the system.

Let $`𝜺`$ be a primitive third root of unity. We first take the same root to solve the three equations $`𝑬_𝜿`$:

$`\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝂𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{)}\mathbf{)}𝑸`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}`$
$`\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝁𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒛\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝝀\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{)}\mathbf{)}𝑸`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}`$
$`\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝀𝑸_𝒛\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝝁\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{)}\mathbf{)}𝑸`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{.}`$
By eliminating $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}`$ and $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}`$ we end up with one equation which is quadratic in $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, so we find a three dimensional solution space. The equations are rather involved.

A cyclic permutation of the variables $`\mathbf{(}𝒙\mathbf{,}𝒚\mathbf{,}𝒛\mathbf{)}`$ in the original configuration induces a cyclic permutation of each of the triples $`\mathbf{(}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{)}`$, $`\mathbf{(}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{)}`$ and $`\mathbf{(}𝝀\mathbf{,}𝝁\mathbf{,}𝝂\mathbf{)}`$. A transposition of $`𝒙`$ and $`𝒚`$ has a more complicated effect on the coefficients. On the points $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}`$ it acts as $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}𝝀\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}𝝀\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{/}𝝀\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$, $`\mathbf{(}𝝁\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}𝝁\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{/}𝝁\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$ and $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}𝝂\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝝂\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{/}𝝂\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$. The induced action on the coefficients is therefore $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}𝝀\mathbf{,}𝝁\mathbf{,}𝝂\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{/}𝝁\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{/}𝝀\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{/}𝝂\mathbf{)}`$. By also considering $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, …, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟔}`$ we find that $`\mathbf{(}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{/}𝝀𝝂\mathbf{,}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{/}𝝁𝝂\mathbf{,}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{/}𝝀𝝁\mathbf{)}`$ and $`\mathbf{(}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{/}𝝀𝝂\mathbf{,}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{/}𝝁𝝂\mathbf{,}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{/}𝝀𝝁\mathbf{)}`$. We clear denominators in $`𝑸\mathbf{(}𝒙\mathbf{,}𝒚\mathbf{,}𝒛\mathbf{)}`$ and $`𝑲\mathbf{(}𝒙\mathbf{,}𝒚\mathbf{,}𝒛\mathbf{)}`$. The equation $`\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝂𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{)}\mathbf{)}𝑸\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ is transformed into $`\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝂𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{)}𝝂\mathbf{)}𝑸\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ (where we multiplied with $`𝝂`$ to avoid denominators). By taking a particular normal form of the family we found two components, one with $`𝜺`$ and one with $`𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}`$, but the surfaces in those components are isomorphic. As the permutation of $`𝒙`$ and $`𝒚`$ is isotopic to the identity there is only one component (of dimension $`\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏𝟓}`$) in the space of all sextics.

Now we take different roots of unity in the equations $`𝑬_𝜿`$. By using the permutations of $`\mathbf{(}𝒙\mathbf{,}𝒚\mathbf{,}𝒛\mathbf{)}`$ it suffices to consider:

$`\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝂𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{)}\mathbf{)}𝑸`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}`$
$`\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝁𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒛\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝝀\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{)}\mathbf{)}𝑸`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}`$
$`\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{(}𝝀𝑸_𝒛\mathbf{+}𝑸_𝒚\mathbf{)}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{)}𝝁\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{)}𝑸`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{.}`$
We start the computation as described above. The two equations coming from the second row of the matrix factorise. Disregarding a factor $`\mathbf{(}𝝀𝝁𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$ we find the equations

$$\begin{array}{c}\text{ }\mathbf{(}𝝀𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{\left(}𝝂𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝝂\mathbf{(}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝝀\mathbf{)}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}𝝂𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}𝜺𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝝁𝝂\mathbf{}𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{,}\text{ }\hfill \\ \text{ }\mathbf{(}𝝀𝝂𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{\left(}𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}𝜺𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝝁𝝂𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝝀𝝁\mathbf{}𝝁\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{.}\text{ }\hfill \end{array}$$

Applying a suitable transposition of the coordinates induces a transformation which sends the first equation to the second one with $`𝜺`$ replaced by $`𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}`$.

We find one three dimensional solution by taking both long factors. Then we find $`𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}𝝀𝝁\mathbf{}𝝁\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝝁𝝂\mathbf{}𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$ and a quadratic equation in $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, which I do not describe here.

Another three dimensional solution is found by taking the equations $`𝝀𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}`$ and $`𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{(}𝜺𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝝁𝝂𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝝀𝝁\mathbf{}𝝁\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$. The other possible choice gives a solution, isomorphic to the complex conjugate of this one. It might seem that we get two different solutions, but as we shall show, the surfaces in question can also be written in a different way as a degeneration of a sextic of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}`$. By computing for a specific example we find that both solutions are slices of the same component in the space of all sextics. This time we find a linear equation for $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}`$:

$$𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝝀𝝁\mathbf{}𝝁\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝝀𝝁𝝂\mathbf{+}𝜺𝝁𝝂\mathbf{}𝜺𝝂\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{.}$$

We have already $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{=}𝝀𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}`$ and we find

$$\mathbf{(}𝝀𝝁𝝂\mathbf{+}𝜺𝝁𝝂\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝝂\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝜺\mathbf{(}𝜺𝝀𝝂\mathbf{+}𝝀\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{.}$$

Finally, taking $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{=}𝝀𝝁𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}`$ and $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{=}𝝀𝝂𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}`$ gives a two dimensional solution consisting of two components, one of which lies inside the last component just found, and the other in the one obtained by interchanging the equations.

###### Proposition 2

The family of sextic surfaces of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}`$ with nine triple points contains in its closure three different families of sextics with ten triple points, which contain three, four or five $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics.

Proof. We have already seen that there are at most three different families. We distinguish between them with the number of $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics. A $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conic determines a plane, whose intersection with one of the three coordinate planes can have at most two triple points. It has to contain at least two of the points $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, …, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟔}`$ on the coordinate axes, because $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}`$ and $`𝑷_{\mathrm{𝟏𝟎}}`$ are not coplanar. But if the plane contains a point on a coordinate axis, it contains only two other triple points on the coordinate planes through the point and therefore it contains the two points not in these planes. If there are three points of the points $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, …, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟔}`$ in the plane, it therefore contains again $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}`$ and $`𝑷_{\mathrm{𝟏𝟎}}`$. Therefore there are only three possible planes which can contain a $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conic, namely the planes through $`𝑷_{\mathrm{𝟏𝟎}}`$ and two of $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$ and $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}`$. The equation for the plane through $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$ and $`𝑷_{\mathrm{𝟏𝟎}}`$ is $`𝝁𝒛\mathbf{}𝒙\mathbf{}𝝀𝝁𝒚\mathbf{+}𝝀𝝁\mathbf{}𝝁\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}`$.

To determine the number of $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics in each family it suffices to do it for a specific example. We obtain three conditions by requiring that the points $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$, $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$ and $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$ are triple points. This gives the equations $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{+}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{+}𝝂\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝝀\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ and $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝝁\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$. In the first family we find $`𝝀\mathbf{=}𝝁\mathbf{=}𝝂`$, $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{=}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{=}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}`$, $`𝝂^\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟑}𝜺𝝂^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}𝝂^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝝂\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝝂^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝝂\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{)}`$, $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝝂^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}`$. In the last family found above we get $`𝝀\mathbf{=}𝝂`$, $`𝝁\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟐}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝝂\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟑}`$, $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{=}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}`$, $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}𝝂\mathbf{+}𝜺\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}`$, $`𝝂^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}𝜺𝝂\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}`$ and $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}𝜺\mathbf{}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝝂`$. For the third family this specialisation does not work, so we have to take a different one. By checking in finite characteristic we make sure that there really exist a sextic with ten isolated triple points for these parameter values.

We then determine if one of the three planes contains more than three triple points. The result is that the first family does not contain extra $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics. The second family contains one extra $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conic, the plane through $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$ and $`𝑷_{\mathrm{𝟏𝟎}}`$, which also contains a point on the $`𝒙`$-axis and on the $`𝒚`$-axis, with coordinates $`\mathbf{(}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}𝝂\mathbf{)}`$ resp. $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{:}𝒍\mathbf{)}`$.

We specialise the third family by taking suitable values for $`𝝀`$, $`𝝁`$ and $`𝝂`$. A good choice is $`𝝀\mathbf{=}𝝁\mathbf{=}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}`$, $`𝝂\mathbf{=}𝜺`$. We can then compute the intersection points of the three planes with the coordinate axes and check whether they are triple points. We find the equations $`\mathrm{𝟑}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{+}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟗}𝜺`$, $`𝒃_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}𝜺\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟒}`$, $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟔}𝜺\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟑}`$, $`\mathbf{(}𝜺\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{)}𝒃_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝒄_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟓}𝜺\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟖}`$ and a quadratic equation for $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, which does not factor in an easy way. For both values of $`𝒄_\mathrm{𝟏}`$ the two points on the $`𝒚`$-axis are given by $`\mathbf{(}𝒚\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒚\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}𝜺\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$, on the $`𝒙`$-axis lies $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$ and on the $`𝒛`$-axis $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}𝜺\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{)}`$. The result is that there are two extra $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics, the one through $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$ and $`𝑷_{\mathrm{𝟏𝟎}}`$ and the one through $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}`$ and $`𝑷_{\mathrm{𝟏𝟎}}`$.  $`\mathbf{}`$

Remark. The computation shows that there are no sextics with ten isolated triple points and six $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics. The arguments proving Lemma 1 do not exclude such a configuration. In fact we can take the three planes in the proof above and take as the points on the coordinate axes the intersection points with these planes. But a sextic with these isolated triple points occurs in a pencil, containing also the product of the six planes. The matrix above should then have rank one. The first $`\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{\times }\mathrm{𝟐}`$ minor gives the equation $`𝑸^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝑸\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟐}𝑸_𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, so together with the equations $`𝑬_𝜿`$ we find $`𝑸\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, contradicting the fact that the ten points do not lie on a quadric.

### 2.2 Type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{)}`$

To complete the classification of sextics with ten triple points we look for a tenth triple point in the family of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{)}`$. Equations for the family are given in \[EPS\], which depend on seven parameters. It is convenient to work with more parameters, which then allows to take the tenth point in fixed position.

We take three quadratic cones $`𝑲_𝒊`$ with vertices $`𝑷_{𝒊\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}}`$ at infinity such that $`𝑲_𝒊`$ passes through $`𝑷_{𝒊\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}}`$ but not through $`𝑷_𝒊`$, where we compute the indices modulo 3. In general the quadrics intersect in eight distinct points. We require that two of them are the points $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$ and $`\mathbf{(}𝒖\mathbf{,}𝒗\mathbf{,}𝒘\mathbf{)}`$. The six remaining points will be the triple points of the sextic. We find

$`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`𝒘𝒙^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝒂𝒖𝒛\mathbf{+}𝒃𝒘𝒙\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝒂\mathbf{+}𝒃\mathbf{+}𝒖\mathbf{)}𝒙𝒛\mathbf{,}`$
$`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`𝒖𝒚^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝒄𝒗𝒙\mathbf{+}𝒅𝒖𝒚\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝒄\mathbf{+}𝒅\mathbf{+}𝒗\mathbf{)}𝒙𝒚\mathbf{,}`$
$`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`𝒗𝒛^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝒆𝒘𝒚\mathbf{+}𝒇𝒗𝒛\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝒆\mathbf{+}𝒇\mathbf{+}𝒘\mathbf{)}𝒚𝒛\mathbf{.}`$
To compute $`𝑸`$, the quadric through $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, …, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}`$, but not through $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$ and $`\mathbf{(}𝒖\mathbf{,}𝒗\mathbf{,}𝒘\mathbf{)}`$, we note that the $`𝑲_𝒊`$ lie in the ideal $`\mathbf{(}𝒖\mathbf{}𝒙\mathbf{,}𝒗\mathbf{}𝒚\mathbf{,}𝒘\mathbf{}𝒛\mathbf{)}`$. We can write

$$\mathbf{\left(}\begin{array}{c}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}\\ 𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}\\ 𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}\end{array}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{\left(}\begin{array}{ccc}\mathrm{𝟎}& \mathbf{(}𝒇\mathbf{+}𝒛\mathbf{)}𝒛& \mathbf{(}𝒆\mathbf{}𝒛\mathbf{)}𝒚\\ \mathbf{(}𝒂\mathbf{}𝒙\mathbf{)}𝒛& \mathrm{𝟎}& \mathbf{(}𝒃\mathbf{+}𝒙\mathbf{)}𝒙\\ \mathbf{(}𝒅\mathbf{+}𝒚\mathbf{)}𝒚& \mathbf{(}𝒄\mathbf{}𝒚\mathbf{)}𝒙& \mathrm{𝟎}\end{array}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{\left(}\begin{array}{c}𝒖\mathbf{}𝒙\\ 𝒗\mathbf{}𝒚\\ 𝒘\mathbf{}𝒛\end{array}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{.}$$

Dividing the determinant of the matrix by $`𝒙𝒚𝒛`$ gives the inhomogeneous equation

$$𝑸\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}𝒂\mathbf{}𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒄\mathbf{}𝒚\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒆\mathbf{}𝒛\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}𝒃\mathbf{+}𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒅\mathbf{+}𝒚\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒇\mathbf{+}𝒛\mathbf{)}$$

which is indeed the sought quadric. Note that our equations are homogeneous in the coefficients $`𝒂`$, …, $`𝒘`$ and the affine coordinates $`𝒙`$, $`𝒚`$, $`𝒛`$ together.

The obvious thing to do now is to determine the conditions under which a surface $`𝝀𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝝁𝑸^\mathrm{𝟑}`$ has a triple point in $`\mathbf{(}𝒙\mathbf{,}𝒚\mathbf{,}𝒛\mathbf{)}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$. Despite great efforts I did not succeed in finding a single example. Finally I decided to compute the transformations which bring the known example from \[EPS\] (which is the same as the specific example in the first family above) into this family. The result was that the tenth point lies in the plane at infinity. In fact, a long, but doable computation with Singular shows that only solutions of the equations occur when $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$ lies on the quadric $`𝑸`$ or one of the cones $`𝑲_𝒊`$.

We therefore now search under the

Assumption. The point $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$ is a triple point.

For the pencil $`𝜶𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝜷𝑸^\mathrm{𝟑}`$ we compute all ten second partial derivatives and evaluate them in $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$. The resulting equations are linear in $`𝜶`$ and $`𝜷`$, so we eliminate these variables and end up with a $`\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{\times }\mathrm{𝟏𝟎}`$ matrix.

The vanishing of the minors of the matrix is again a necessary condition, for the existence of a sextic with ten triple points, but it is not sufficient for isolated triple points. Indeed, there are some easy to see ‘false’ solutions: if $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{=}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{=}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, then the whole first row vanishes (we take at most second derivatives of the product $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}`$) and we get $`𝜷\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$. Also, if $`𝒂\mathbf{+}𝒃\mathbf{=}𝒄\mathbf{+}𝒅\mathbf{=}𝒆\mathbf{+}𝒇\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, the second row vanishes. We know that the ten points cannot lie on the quadric $`𝑸`$. We only want solutions with $`𝑸\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ and $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟎}`$.

Our equations are homogeneous in $`𝒂`$, …, $`𝒛`$. Moreover, the derivatives not involving $`𝒕`$ depend only on the sums $`𝒂\mathbf{+}𝒃`$, $`𝒄\mathbf{+}𝒅`$, $`𝒆\mathbf{+}𝒇`$ and the $`𝒖`$, $`𝒗`$, $`𝒘`$: note that $`𝑸\mathbf{|}_{𝒕\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}𝒂\mathbf{+}𝒃\mathbf{)}𝒚𝒛\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}𝒄\mathbf{+}𝒅\mathbf{)}𝒙𝒛\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}𝒆\mathbf{+}𝒇\mathbf{)}𝒙𝒚`$ and $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{|}_{𝒕\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}}\mathbf{=}𝒘𝒙^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝒂\mathbf{+}𝒃\mathbf{+}𝒖\mathbf{)}𝒙𝒛`$. This means that we can start by analysing the six first columns. We cut away one after another the solutions lying in $`𝑸\mathbf{=}𝒂\mathbf{+}𝒃\mathbf{+}𝒄\mathbf{+}𝒅\mathbf{+}𝒆\mathbf{+}𝒇\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{=}𝒘\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝒂\mathbf{+}𝒃\mathbf{+}𝒖\mathbf{)}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ and $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$. To dispose of the solutions in a hyperplane $`𝑳\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ we add the inhomogeneous equation $`𝑳\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟏}`$ and compute a standard basis. Afterwards we make the equations homogeneous again.

The computation with Singular gives twelve equations. They define two complex conjugate components. Eliminating $`𝒂`$, $`𝒄`$ and $`𝒆`$ gives two equations

$$\begin{array}{c}\text{ }\mathbf{(}𝒃\mathbf{+}𝒅\mathbf{+}𝒇\mathbf{)}^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}𝒃\mathbf{+}𝒅\mathbf{+}𝒇\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒖\mathbf{+}𝒗\mathbf{+}𝒘\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}𝒖\mathbf{+}𝒗\mathbf{+}𝒘\mathbf{)}^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\text{ }\hfill \\ \text{ }𝒖𝒗\mathbf{+}𝒖𝒘\mathbf{+}𝒗𝒘\mathbf{.}\text{ }\hfill \end{array}$$

Again we have to adjoin the third roots of unity. With $`𝜺`$ a primitive third root of unity we find two components, one of them given by

$$\begin{array}{c}\text{ }𝒆\mathbf{+}𝒇\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒗\mathbf{}𝜺𝒘\text{ }\hfill \\ \text{ }𝒄\mathbf{+}𝒅\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒖\mathbf{}𝜺𝒗\text{ }\hfill \\ \text{ }𝒂\mathbf{+}𝒃\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒘\mathbf{}𝜺𝒖\text{ }\hfill \\ \text{ }𝒃\mathbf{+}𝒅\mathbf{+}𝒇\mathbf{}𝜺\mathbf{(}𝒖\mathbf{+}𝒗\mathbf{+}𝒘\mathbf{)}\text{ }\hfill \\ \text{ }𝒖𝒗\mathbf{+}𝒖𝒘\mathbf{+}𝒗𝒘\mathbf{.}\text{ }\hfill \end{array}$$

We give an explicit example: $`𝒗\mathbf{=}𝒘\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟐}`$, $`𝒖\mathbf{=}𝒅\mathbf{=}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}`$, $`𝒃\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$, so

$`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟐}𝒙^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝜺\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝒛\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒙𝒛\mathbf{,}`$
$`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathbf{}𝒚^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}𝜺𝒙\mathbf{+}𝒚\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒙𝒚\mathbf{,}`$
$`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathrm{𝟐}𝒛^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟐}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒚\mathbf{+}\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟔}𝜺\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}𝒛\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟒}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒚𝒛\mathbf{,}`$
$`𝑸`$ $`\mathbf{=}`$ $`\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝜺\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}𝒙\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝜺\mathbf{}𝒚\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{+}𝒛\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}𝒙\mathbf{(}𝒚\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒛\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟑}𝜺\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}\mathbf{.}`$
Then $`\mathrm{𝟐𝟕}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}\mathrm{𝟐}𝑸^\mathrm{𝟑}`$ has ten ordinary triple points. To find them it is convenient to compute in finite characteristic $`𝒑`$. After some experimentation I found that for $`𝒑\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟔𝟕}`$ with $`𝜺\mathbf{=}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟑𝟎}`$ all points are defined over the base field.

###### Proposition 3

The family of sextic surfaces of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{)}`$ contains in its closure one family of sextics with ten triple points, which each contain two $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics.

Proof. One of the intersection points of the quadric cones $`𝑲_𝒊`$ lies in the plane $`𝒕\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$. To see this we observe that $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{|}_{𝒕\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}}\mathbf{=}𝒛\mathbf{(}𝒗𝒛\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝒗\mathbf{+}𝒘\mathbf{)}𝒚\mathbf{)}`$. By cyclic permutation we get three lines $`𝒗𝒛\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝒗\mathbf{+}𝒘\mathbf{)}𝒚`$, $`𝒘𝒙\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝒘\mathbf{+}𝒖\mathbf{)}𝒛`$ and $`𝒖𝒚\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{(}𝒖\mathbf{+}𝒗\mathbf{)}𝒛`$. The condition that they pass though one point is

$$\mathbf{(}𝒖\mathbf{+}𝒗\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒗\mathbf{+}𝒘\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒘\mathbf{+}𝒖\mathbf{)}\mathbf{+}𝒖𝒗𝒘\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}𝒖\mathbf{+}𝒗\mathbf{+}𝒘\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒖𝒗\mathbf{+}𝒖𝒘\mathbf{+}𝒗𝒘\mathbf{)}\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{,}$$

which is satisfied on our component.

The intersection point is $`\mathbf{(}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒖𝒘\mathbf{:}𝜺𝒖𝒗\mathbf{:}𝒗𝒘\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$. Together with the tenth point $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$ it lies on the line $`𝒕\mathbf{=}𝒙\mathbf{+}𝜺𝒚\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒛\mathbf{=}\mathrm{𝟎}`$. One of the planes in the pencil of planes through this line contains three more triple points. It can be found by transforming the coordinates $`\mathbf{(}𝒙\mathbf{,}𝒚\mathbf{,}𝒛\mathbf{)}`$ into the eigenfunctions of cyclic permutation, making $`𝒙\mathbf{+}𝜺𝒚\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒛`$ into a coordinate and eliminating the others. The computation is best done in finite characteristic. Once the result is known one can find a derivation. We observe the following factorisation modulo the ideal defining the component

$$𝒖𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒗𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{+}𝜺𝒘𝑲_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}\mathbf{(}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒗𝒘𝒙\mathbf{+}𝒘𝒖𝒚\mathbf{+}𝜺𝒖𝒗𝒛\mathbf{)}\mathbf{(}𝒙\mathbf{+}𝜺𝒚\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒛\mathbf{+}𝒆\mathbf{+}𝜺𝒅\mathbf{)}\mathbf{.}$$

In the affine chart $`𝒕\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ the six common points of the quadric cones lie therefore on two planes. The first factor contains the point $`\mathbf{(}𝒖\mathbf{,}𝒗\mathbf{,}𝒘\mathbf{)}`$, while the second factor is the plane of the pencil we are after. Note also that $`𝒙\mathbf{+}𝜺𝒚\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒛\mathbf{+}𝒆\mathbf{+}𝜺𝒅`$ and $`𝒚\mathbf{+}𝜺𝒛\mathbf{+}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒙\mathbf{+}𝒂\mathbf{+}𝜺𝒇`$ give the same plane.

By leaving out the point $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{(}𝜺^\mathrm{𝟐}𝒖𝒘\mathbf{:}𝜺𝒖𝒗\mathbf{:}𝒗𝒘\mathbf{:}\mathrm{𝟎}\mathbf{)}`$ we realise our surface in a different way as special element in a pencil of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{)}`$. A coordinate transformation brings it in our standard form. To determine it we have to know the position of the three vertices, so we only compute in our specific example. We obtain values for the parameters $`\mathbf{(}𝒂\mathbf{,}\mathbf{}\mathbf{,}𝒇\mathbf{,}𝒖\mathbf{,}𝒗\mathbf{,}𝒘\mathbf{)}`$ and compute that they satisfy the equations for the complex conjugate component. This shows that there is only one family.  $`\mathbf{}`$

### 2.3 Cremona transformations

To compute the effect of a Cremona transformation it is useful to know about other $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-curves on our surfaces. Each family lies also in the closure of other families of sextics with nine triple points. For explicit computations we need to know the coordinates of the ten triple points. We use the specific examples in finite characteristic.

We start with the surface with two $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics. If we leave out $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, then the surfaces has one $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conic, so is of of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟔}\mathbf{)}`$ with the $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conic the one determined above. The pencil has to contain the reducible surface $`𝑳_\mathrm{𝟐}𝑲_\mathrm{𝟏}𝑪_\mathrm{𝟏}`$ with $`𝑪_\mathrm{𝟏}`$ a cubic surface. In the example one finds an explicit equation for $`𝑪_\mathrm{𝟏}`$. Leaving out $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$ or $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$ gives a surface with two $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics, which a priori can be of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟖}\mathbf{)}`$ or $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{)}`$. The explicit example shows that the first case occurs. Table 3 contains all the surfaces found in this way, with $`𝑳_𝒊`$ planes, $`𝑲_𝒊`$ quadric cones, $`𝑪_𝒊`$ four-nodal cubics and $`𝑸_𝒊`$ quartics with one triple point and six nodes. Through each point pass 13 of the 16 surfaces and the reducible surface in the pencil obtained by leaving out this point is the union of the other three surfaces.

To get with a Cremona transformation again a surface with ten isolated triple points we have to take the four fundamental points such that no three lie in a plane. For the surfaces of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{)}`$ there are only a few possibilities, due to the symmetry in the configuration. We can compute the strict transform of each of the surfaces in Table 3 using the degree formula $`\mathrm{𝟑}𝒅\mathbf{}𝒎_\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{}\mathbf{}\mathbf{}𝒎_\mathrm{𝟒}`$. The multiplicity of the transformed surface in one of the four image points is the degree of the exceptional curve, which is itself the image under a standard plane Cremona transformation of the intersection curve of the surface with the plane through the three opposite fundamental points: the new multiplicity $`𝒎_\mathrm{𝟏}`$ is $`\mathrm{𝟐}𝒅\mathbf{}𝒎_\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{}𝒎_\mathrm{𝟑}\mathbf{}𝒎_\mathrm{𝟒}`$.

If we take $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$ and $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}`$ as fundamental points the plane $`𝑳_\mathrm{𝟏}`$ is transformed in a plane, as is the quadric $`𝑲_\mathrm{𝟑}`$. We get again a sextic with two $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics. The transform of each of the cubics $`𝑪_\mathrm{𝟒}`$, $`𝑪_\mathrm{𝟓}`$, $`𝑪_\mathrm{𝟔}`$ is a quadric cone not passing through the new $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$ and simply through $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟖}`$ and $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}`$. So leaving out the new $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$ gives a surface of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟒}\mathbf{)}`$ again.

We get three $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics if we take $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟐}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟒}`$ and $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$ as fundamental points. For four $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics can we take $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟐}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟒}`$ and $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟓}`$ as fundamental points.

A surface with five $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics cannot be obtained directly with a reciprocal transformation. Instead we first study the configuration in more detail. Leaving out a point on two planes gives again surfaces of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{)}`$, whereas leaving out one of the five points on three planes leads to sextics of type $`\mathbf{(}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟐}\mathbf{,}\mathrm{𝟖}\mathbf{)}`$. There are five quartic surfaces $`𝑸_𝒊`$ with a triple point. Table 4 gives the multiplicities of the surfaces involved at the singular points.

A Cremona transformation with fundamental points $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟏}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟓}`$, $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟕}`$ and $`𝑷_\mathrm{𝟗}`$ brings us to the family with three $`\mathbf{(}\mathbf{}\mathrm{𝟏}\mathbf{)}`$-conics. This shows that all four families are related by Cremona transformations (obtained by composition of reciprocal transformations).

Matematik
Chalmers tekniska högskola och Göteborgs universitet,
SE 412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
e-mail: stevens@math.chalmers.se


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# Unramified cohomology of classifying varieties for exceptional simply connected groups

## 1. Vocabulary

We say that an (affine) algebraic group is simple if it is $`1`$, is connected, and has no nontrivial connected normal subgroups over an algebraic closure. (These groups are often called “absolutely almost simple”.) Simple groups are classified in, e.g., \[KMRT, Ch. VI\]. We say that a group is of type $`T_n`$ if it is simple with root system of type $`T_n`$ and of type $`{}_{}{}^{t}T_{n}^{}`$ if additionally the absolute Galois group of $`F`$ acts as a group of automorphisms of order $`t`$ on the Dynkin diagram.

Let $`V`$ be a finite-dimensional irreducible representation of an algebraic group $`G`$ over $`F`$. The $`F`$-algebra $`\mathrm{End}_G(V)`$ is a skew field by Schur’s Lemma, and it is finite-dimensional over $`F`$; it is called a Tits algebra for $`G`$. If it is a (commutative) field, we say that it is trivial.

The Dynkin index $`n_G`$ of a simple simply connected algebraic group $`G`$ is a natural number which depends only upon the type of $`G`$ and the (Schur) indices of its Tits algebras. We will repeatedly make us of the fact that the value of $`n_G`$ is known and can be found by looking in \[M 03, App. B\] or \[KMRT, pp. 437–442\]. The value of $`n_G`$ for $`G`$ exceptional is:

$$\begin{array}{ccccccccc}& & & & & & & & \\ & & {}_{}{}^{3,6}D_{4}^{}\text{, all Tits}& {}_{}{}^{3,6}D_{4}^{}\text{, some Tits}& & & & & \\ \text{type of }G& G_2& \text{alg’s trivial}& \text{alg’s nontrivial}& F_4& {}_{}{}^{1}E_{6}^{}& {}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}& E_7& E_8\\ & & & & & & & & \\ n_G& 2& 6& 12& 6& 6& 12& 12& 60\end{array}$$

We have functors $`H^1(,G)`$ and $`H^3()`$ which take a field extension of $`F`$ and give a pointed set and abelian group respectively. A degree 3 invariant of $`G`$ with values in $`(/)^{}(2)`$ is a morphism of functors

$$H^1(,G)H^3()$$

which takes base points to base points. Such invariants are often called “normalized”. We write $`\mathrm{Inv}^3(G)`$ for the abelian group of such invariants. (Clearly, this definition makes sense for every algebraic group $`G`$ over $`F`$.)

Let $`p=\mathrm{char}F`$ if the characteristic is prime and $`p=1`$ otherwise. Write $`n_G=p^kn_G^{}`$, where $`n_G^{}`$ is a natural number prime to $`p`$. The group $`\mathrm{Inv}^3(G)`$ is cyclic of order $`n_G^{}`$. It has a canonical generator $`r_G`$ which we call the Rost invariant of $`G`$. (This is the prime-to-$`p`$ part of what is called the Rost invariant in \[M 03\]. I do not know how to define a residue map for the $`p`$-primary part.)

For $`\alpha :HG`$ a map between simple simply connected algebraic groups over $`F`$, there is a positive integer $`n_\alpha `$ called the Rost multiplier or “Dynkin index” of $`\alpha `$, see \[M 03, §7\]. It has the properties: $`n_H`$ divides $`n_\alpha n_G`$ and for every extension $`E`$ of $`F`$, the composition

$$\begin{array}{ccccc}H^1(E,H)& \stackrel{\alpha }{}& H^1(E,G)& \stackrel{r_G}{}& H^3(E)\end{array}$$

is $`n_\alpha r_H`$.

## 2. $`A_2D_4`$

2.1. In this section, we assume that $`F`$ contains a primitive cube root of unity and hence has characteristic $`3`$. Let $`L`$ be a cubic Galois extension of $`F`$; by Kummer theory it is obtained by adjoining a cube root of some element $`\lambda F^{}`$. We write $`(\lambda )`$ for the corresponding class in $`F^{}/F^3=H^1(F,𝝁_3)`$, where $`𝝁_3`$ is the algebraic group of cube roots of unity.

The short exact sequence $`1𝝁_3SL_3PGL_31`$ induces a connecting homomorphism $`\delta :H^1(F,PGL_3)H^2(F,𝝁_3)`$.

###### Lemma 2.2.

Continue the hypotheses of 2. Let $`G`$ be the quasi-split simply connected group of type $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$ associated with the extension $`L/F`$. Then $`G`$ contains a subgroup isomorphic to $`PGL_3`$ such that for every extension $`E`$ of $`F`$ the diagram

$$\begin{array}{ccc}H^1(E,PGL_3)& \stackrel{x\delta (x)(\lambda )}{}& H^3(E,𝝁_3^2)\\ & & & & \\ H^1(E,G)& \stackrel{r_G}{}& H^3(E)\end{array}$$

commutes up to sign, where the arrow on the right comes from the natural map $`𝛍_3^2(/)^{}(2)`$.

###### Proof.

We have maps

(2.3)
$$\begin{array}{ccccc}PGL_3\times 𝝁_3& & \mathrm{Spin}_8/3& & F_4\end{array}$$

where $`F_4`$ denotes the split algebraic group of that type and we identify $`𝝁_3`$ with $`/3`$ using the primitive cube root of unity in $`F`$. The first map comes from the fact that $`PGL_3=\mathrm{Aut}(M_3(F))`$ preserves the subspace of trace zero elements in $`M_3(F)`$, see \[KMRT, pp. 504, 505\]. The second map comes from the Springer decomposition of Albert algebras, see \[KMRT, 38.7\]. The group $`/3`$ acts on $`\mathrm{Spin}_8`$ in a manner which cyclically permutes the vector and half-spin representations and fixes $`PGL_3`$ elementwise. The map $`\mathrm{Spin}_8F_4`$ has Rost multiplier 1.

When we twist the groups in (2.3) by $`(\lambda )`$ and restrict to connected components, we obtain the sequence

(2.4)
$$\begin{array}{ccccc}PGL_3& \stackrel{\iota }{}& G& \stackrel{\sigma }{}& F_4\end{array}$$

The map $`H^1(\sigma \iota )`$ sends a class $`[A]H^1(E,PGL_3)`$ of a central simple $`E`$-algebra of degree 3 to the class of the first Tits construction $`[J(A,\lambda )]H^1(F,F_4)`$, see \[KMRT, 39.9\]. The composition $`r_{F_4}H^1(\sigma \iota )`$ is, up to sign, the composition of $`\delta `$ with the cup product $`(\lambda )`$ by \[KMRT, p. 537\]. Since $`\sigma `$ has Rost multiplier 1, $`r_{F_4}H^1(\sigma )=r_G`$, and the lemma is proved. ∎

## 3. $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{},{}_{}{}^{6}D_{4}^{}{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$

A simple algebraic group is said to be trialitarian if it is of type $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$ or $`{}_{}{}^{6}D_{4}^{}`$. In this section, we assume that $`F`$ has characteristic $`2`$; our goal is to prove the following:

###### Theorem 3.1.

($`\mathrm{char}F2`$) Let $`T`$ be a trialitarian simply connected group over $`F`$ which is $`F`$-isotropic but not $`F`$-quasi-split. Let $`K`$ be a quadratic extension of $`F`$ such that $`T`$ is $`K`$-quasi-split. Then there exists a simply connected group $`G`$ of type $`{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$ over $`F`$ such that

1. all of $`G`$’s Tits algebras are trivial;
2. $`G`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{1}E_{6}^{}`$ over $`K`$; and
3. $`T`$ is a subgroup of $`G`$ with Rost multiplier $`1`$.

Given a $`T`$ as in the first sentence of 3.1, such a $`K`$ always exists by \[Ga 98, 0.1\]. We postpone the proof of the theorem until the end of this section.

###### Remark 3.2.

If $`T`$ is simply connected trialitarian and $`F`$-quasi-split, one can do better. In that case, $`T`$ is isomorphic to a subgroup of the split $`F_4`$ (see e.g. \[Ga 98, 4.4\]), hence $`T`$ is isomorphic to a subgroup of every simply connected and $`F`$-quasi-split group $`G`$ of type $`E_6`$. Moreover, the inclusion $`TG`$ has Rost multiplier 1 since over an algebraic closure of $`F`$ the inclusion arises from the natural inclusion of root systems $`D_4E_6`$.

3.3. Let $``$ be the split Cayley algebra over $`F`$ with canonical involution (a.k.a. “conjugation”) $`\pi _{}`$. Fix the basis $`u_1`$, $`\mathrm{}`$, $`u_8`$ of $``$ as in \[Ga 98\] and \[Ga 01a\] so that the bilinear norm form is $`𝔫(x,y)=x\pi _{}(y)+y\pi _{}(x)`$ is given by $`𝔫(u_i,u_j)=\delta _{(i+j),9}`$ (Kronecker delta). Write $`\sigma `$ for the involution on $`GL()`$ which is adjoint for $`𝔫`$.

Let $`R`$ denote the subgroup of $`GL()^{\times 3}`$ consisting of so-called related triples of proper similitudes of $`𝔫`$, see \[Ga 98, §1\] or \[KMRT, §35\] for a definition. This group is reductive with center of rank 2; its derived subgroup consists of triples $`\underset{¯}{t}=(t_0,t_1,t_2)`$ with $`t_iSO(𝔫)`$ for all $`i`$ and is isomorphic to $`\mathrm{Spin}_8`$ \[KMRT, 35.7\].

The group $`S_3=r,\pi r^3=\pi ^2=1,\pi r=r^2\pi `$ acts on $`R`$ via

$${}_{}{}^{r}\underset{¯}{t}=(t_1,t_2,t_0)\text{and}{}_{}{}^{\pi }(t_0,t_1,t_2)=(\pi _{}t_0\pi _{},\pi _{}t_2\pi _{},\pi _{}t_1\pi _{}).$$

Define $`RS_3`$ to be the Cartesian product $`R\times S_3`$ with multiplication

$$(\underset{¯}{t},\alpha )(\underset{¯}{t}^{},\beta )=(\underset{¯}{t}{}_{}{}^{\alpha }\underset{¯}{t}_{}^{},\alpha \beta ).$$

The split Albert algebra $`J`$ has underlying vector space the matrices in $`M_3()`$ fixed by the conjugate transpose. With that in mind, we may write a general element of $`J`$ as in (3.5) below where $`\epsilon _iF`$, $`c_i`$, and the entries given as $``$ are forced by symmetry. The algebra $`J`$ has a canonically determined norm form; write $`\mathrm{Inv}(J)`$ for the group of norm isometries.

There is an injection $`g:RS_3\mathrm{Inv}(J)`$ defined by

$$g_{\underset{¯}{t}}\left(\begin{array}{ccc}\epsilon _0& c_2& \\ & \epsilon _1& c_0\\ c_1& & \epsilon _2\end{array}\right):=\left(\begin{array}{ccc}\mu \left(t_0\right)^1\epsilon _0& t_2\left(c_2\right)& \\ & \mu \left(t_1\right)^1\epsilon _1& t_0\left(c_0\right)\\ t_1\left(c_1\right)& & \mu \left(t_2\right)^1\epsilon _2\end{array}\right),$$

$$g_r\left(\begin{array}{ccc}\epsilon _0& c_2& \\ & \epsilon _1& c_0\\ c_1& & \epsilon _2\end{array}\right)=\left(\begin{array}{ccc}\epsilon _1& c_0& \\ & \epsilon _2& c_1\\ c_2& & \epsilon _0\end{array}\right),\text{and}g_\pi \left(\begin{array}{ccc}\epsilon _0& c_2& \\ & \epsilon _1& c_0\\ c_1& & \epsilon _2\end{array}\right)=\left(\begin{array}{ccc}\epsilon _0& \overline{c_1}& \\ & \epsilon _2& \overline{c_0}\\ \overline{c_2}& & \epsilon _1\end{array}\right).$$

3.4. Construction of a quasi-split $`{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$. The algebra $`J`$ is also endowed with a nondegenerate symmetric bilinear form $`s`$ defined by

$$s(x,y)=\mathrm{Tr}_J(xy)=\underset{i=0}{\overset{2}{}}\left[\epsilon _i\nu _i+𝔫(c_i,d_i)\right]$$

for

(3.5)
$$x=\left(\begin{array}{ccc}\epsilon _0& c_2& \\ & \epsilon _1& c_0\\ c_1& & \epsilon _2\end{array}\right),y=\left(\begin{array}{ccc}\nu _0& d_2& \\ & \nu _1& d_0\\ d_1& & \nu _2\end{array}\right).$$

For each $`fGL(J)`$, there is a unique $`f^{}GL(J)`$ such that $`s(f(x),f^{}(y))=s(x,y)`$ for all $`x,yJ`$.

The map $`ff^{}`$ restricts to automorphisms of $`\mathrm{Inv}(J)`$ and $`RS_3`$ defined over $`F`$. We have

$$r^{}=r,\pi ^{}=\pi ,\text{and}\underset{¯}{t}^{}=(\sigma (t_0)^1,\sigma (t_1)^1,\sigma (t_2)^1).$$

Fix a quadratic extension $`K`$ of $`F`$ with $`\mathrm{Gal}(K/F)=\iota `$. We define the group $`E_6^K`$ and $`H`$ to be the groups $`\mathrm{Inv}(J)`$ and $`R`$ with twisted $`\iota `$-actions: For $`f`$ a $`K`$-point, we set $`{}_{}{}^{\iota }f=\iota f^{}\iota `$ where the action on the left is the new action and juxtaposition denotes the usual action. The group $`E_6^K`$ is quasi-split of type $`{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$.

3.6. Proof of Theorem 3.1. Since $`T`$ is isotropic and not quasi-split, it has a Tits algebra which is a nonsplit quaternion algebra $`Q`$ over a cubic extension $`L`$ of $`F`$ \[Ga 98, 0.1\]. By \[KMRT, 43.9\], $`Q`$ is isomorphic to the quaternion $`L`$-algebra $`(a,b)_L`$ for some $`bF^{}`$ and $`aL^{}`$ such that $`N_{L/F}(a)=1`$. Since $`Q`$ is nonsplit, $`b`$ is not a square in $`F`$; we set $`K=F(\sqrt{b})`$. Since $`Q`$ is not split over $`L`$, it is not split over $`L^c`$ by \[Ga 98, 3.2\]. In particular, $`L^c`$ does not contain a square root of $`b`$, so $`P=K_FL^c`$ is a quadratic field extension of $`L^c`$.

To simplify our argument, we assume that $`L`$ is not Galois over $`F`$, so $`\mathrm{Gal}(L^c/F)`$ is isomorphic to $`S_3`$. (This is the case that will be used in the rest of the paper. The other case — where $`L`$ is Galois over $`F`$ — is only easier.) Then, the group $`\mathrm{Gal}(P/F)`$ is isomorphic to $`S_3\times 𝝁_2/6𝝁_2`$, where the factor of $`/6`$ corresponds to the subgroup $`\mathrm{Gal}(P/\mathrm{\Delta })`$ for $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ the unique quadratic extension of $`F`$ in $`L^c`$. We fix generators $`\zeta :=(r^1,1)S_3\times 𝝁_2`$ (which generates the copy of $`/6`$) and $`\tau =(\pi ,1)`$ (which generates the copy of $`𝝁_2`$ in $`/6𝝁_2`$ corresponding to $`\mathrm{Gal}(P/L(\sqrt{b}))`$).

We construct the group $`G`$ by descent as follows. The group $`E_6^K`$ — and hence $`HS_3`$ — is a closed subgroup of $`GL(V)`$ for some $`F`$-vector space $`V`$. (Specifically, $`E_6^K`$ is the group of algebra automorphisms of a Brown algebra with underlying vector space $`V`$, cf. \[Ga 01b, 2.9(2)\].) We call an additive homomorphism $`f:VPVP`$ $`\varpi `$-semilinear if there is some $`\varpi \mathrm{Gal}(P/F)`$ such that

$$f(pv)=\varpi (p)f(v)\text{for all }pP\text{ and }vVP\text{.}$$

Let $`\stackrel{~}{GL}(V)`$ denote the (abstract) group of such maps $`f`$. We define a group homomorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{Gal}(P/F)\stackrel{~}{GL}(V)`$ such that $`\varphi (\varpi )`$ is $`\varpi `$-semilinear for all $`\varpi `$ and $`T(F)`$ and $`G(F)`$ are the subgroups of $`\mathrm{Spin}_8(P)`$ and $`E_6^K(P)`$ commuting with $`\varphi (\varpi )`$ for all $`\varpi `$.

Define $`\underset{¯}{t}=(t_0,t_1,t_2)GL()^{\times 3}`$ by setting $`t_i=m_iP`$, for

$$m_i=\mathrm{diag}(1,\rho ^i(a),\rho ^i(a),\rho ^{i+2}(a)^1,\rho ^{i+1}(a)^1,1,1,\rho ^i(a))$$

with $`\rho :=\zeta ^2`$, and $`P`$ the matrix permuting the basis vectors as $`(\mathrm{1\hspace{0.17em}2})(\mathrm{3\hspace{0.17em}6})(\mathrm{4\hspace{0.17em}5})(\mathrm{7\hspace{0.17em}8})`$, for the basis of $``$ fixed in 3.2 above. Since $`N_{L/F}(a)=1`$, $`\underset{¯}{t}`$ is a related triple by \[Ga 98, 1.5(3), 1.6, 1.8\]. Set

(3.7)
$$\varphi (\zeta )=\underset{¯}{t}r\zeta \text{and}\varphi (\tau )=\pi \tau .$$

We have

$$\zeta \underset{¯}{t}\zeta ^1=(\sigma (\zeta (t_0)),\sigma (\zeta (t_1)),\sigma (\zeta (t_2)))^1=(\sigma (t_2),\sigma (t_0),\sigma (t_1))^1=r^1\underset{¯}{t}^1r,$$

since $`\sigma (t_i)=t_i`$ for all $`i`$. Hence

$$\varphi (\zeta )^2=r^2\zeta ^2,\varphi (\zeta )^3=\underset{¯}{t}\zeta ^3,\text{and}$$

(3.8)
$$\varphi (\zeta )^6=\mathrm{Id}_{VP}.$$

Since $`\pi `$ and $`\tau `$ commute, we have

(3.9)
$$\varphi (\tau )^2=\mathrm{Id}_{VP}.$$

Since

$$\varphi (\zeta )^5=\varphi (\zeta )^2\varphi (\zeta )^3=\underset{¯}{t}r^2\zeta ^5,$$

and $`\pi \tau `$ and $`\underset{¯}{t}`$ commute, it is easy to verify that

(3.10)
$$\varphi (\tau )\varphi (\zeta )=\varphi (\zeta )^5\varphi (\tau ).$$

Equations (3.8), (3.9), and (3.10) give that (3.7) defines a homorphism $`\varphi :\mathrm{Gal}(P/F)\stackrel{~}{GL}(V)`$. Then the set map $`z:\mathrm{Gal}(P/F)HS_3`$ defined by $`z_\varpi :=\varphi (\varpi )\varpi ^1`$ is in fact a 1-cocycle. (This correspondence between groups of semilinear transformations and 1-cocycles is well-explained in \[Jac, §3\].) Set $`G`$ to be the twisted group $`(E_6^K)_z`$; it automatically satisfies (2). Since $`z`$ takes values in the simply connected group $`E_6^K`$, (1) holds.

Since the values of $`z`$ normalize the subgroup $`\mathrm{Spin}_8`$ of $`E_6^K`$, the twisted group $`(\mathrm{Spin}_8)_z`$ is a subgroup of $`G`$. The inclusion has Rost multiplier 1 since the inclusion $`\mathrm{Spin}_8E_6^K`$ over an algebraic closure arises from the natural inclusion of root systems $`D_4E_6`$. The restriction of $`z`$ to $`\mathrm{Spin}_8`$ is the descent given in \[Ga 98, 4.7\] to construct $`T`$, i.e., $`(\mathrm{Spin}_8)_z`$ is isomorphic to $`T`$, hence (3). $`\mathit{}`$

###### Remark 3.11.

The isotropic group $`G`$ occurring in Theorem 3.1 is typically not quasi-split, even over $`L`$. This can be seen by examining the mod 2 portion of the Rost invariant for $`(z)H^1(P/L,E_6^K)`$, which is typically nontrivial by \[Ga 01a, 6.7\].

## 4. A construction

The purpose of this section is to construct a suitable extension of $`F`$ over which we may apply 3.1:

###### Application 4.1.

($`\mathrm{char}F2`$) Let $`G`$ be a quasi-split simply connected group of type $`{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$ over a field $`F`$. There exists

* an extension $`F^{}`$ of $`F`$ such that $`G`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$ over $`F^{}`$,
* an isotropic, non-quasi-split group $`T^{}`$ over $`F^{}`$ of type $`{}_{}{}^{6}D_{4}^{}`$
* a strongly inner form $`G^{}`$ of $`G`$ over $`F^{}`$

such that $`T^{}`$ is a subgroup of $`G^{}`$ with Rost multiplier $`1`$.

A group is a strongly inner form of the simply connected group $`G`$ if it is obtained from $`G`$ by twisting by a 1-cocycle in $`Z^1(F,G)`$.

The following arguments are somewhat simpler than previously, thanks to suggestions by Adrian Wadsworth.

###### Lemma 4.2.

($`\mathrm{char}F2`$) For $`p,qF^{}`$, the ring $`L=F(t)[x]/(x^3+px+qt)`$ is a separable cubic field extension of $`F(t)`$ which is not Galois over $`F(t)`$. There is a prolongation of the $`t`$-adic valuation on $`F(t)`$ to $`L`$ which is unramified with residue degree $`1`$ and with respect to which $`x`$ has value $`1`$.

###### Proof.

If $`L`$ is not a field, then there is some $`aF(t)`$ such that $`a^3+pa+qt=0`$. Since $`a`$ is integral over the UFD $`F[t]`$, it belongs to $`F[t]`$, so it makes sense to speak of the degree of $`a`$. In particular, at least two of the terms $`a^3`$, $`pa`$, and $`qt`$ must have the same degree, which is also the maximum of the degrees. This implies that $`a`$ cannot have positive degree. But then $`qt`$, with degree 1, is the unique term of maximal degree, which is a contradiction.

Since $`p`$, $`q`$ are in $`F^{}`$, the discriminant $`4p^327q^2t^2`$ of $`L`$ is not 0, hence $`L`$ is separable over $`F`$. An argument similar to the one in the preceding paragraph shows that the discriminant is not a square in $`F(t)`$: Any square root $`bF(t)`$ of the discriminant would belong to $`F[t]`$ and have degree 1. Then the coefficient of $`t`$ in $`b^2`$ would be nonzero. Thus $`L`$ is not Galois over $`F(t)`$.

Hensel’s Lemma gives that $`x^3+px+tq`$ has a linear factor of the form $`x\pi `$ in $`F((t))[x]`$, where $`\pi `$ has $`t`$-adic value 1. The map $`x\pi `$ gives an isomorphism of $`L`$ with the subfield $`F(t)(\pi )`$ of $`F((t))`$, and the $`t`$-adic valuation obviously extends to $`L`$ so that $`x`$ has value 1. Since $`F((t))`$ is the completion of $`F(t)`$ with respect to the $`t`$-adic valuation and hence is unramified with residue degree 1, the claims about ramification and residue degree of our prolongation to $`L`$ follow. ∎

###### Lemma 4.3.

($`\mathrm{char}F2`$) Let $`p,bF^{}`$ be such that the quaternion algebra $`(p,b)_F`$ is nonsplit. Let $`L`$ be as in Lemma 4.2. Then the quaternion algebra $`(x,b)_L`$ is nonsplit and is not isomorphic to $`(qt,b)_L`$.

###### Proof.

Since $`N_{L/F(t)}(x)=qt`$, the corestriction of $`(x,b)_L`$ down to $`F(t)`$ is Brauer-equivalent to $`(qt,b)_{F(t)}`$. This algebra is split if and only if the quadratic form $`1,b,qt`$ is isotropic over $`F(t)`$. Over the completion $`F((t))`$, this form has residue forms $`1,b`$ and $`q`$. Since the algebra $`(p,b)_F`$ is nonsplit, the first form is anisotropic, hence $`1,b,qt`$ is anisotropic over $`F((t))`$ by Springer’s Theorem. Thus $`(qt,b)_{F(t)}`$ is nonsplit, and hence so is $`(x,b)_L`$.

For the sake of contradiction, suppose that $`(x,b)_L`$ is isomorphic to $`(qt,b)_L`$, i.e., the algebra $`(xqt,b)_L`$ is split. Since

$$x(qt)=x(x^3px)=x^4+px^2x^2+pmodL^2,$$

the algebra $`(x^2+p,b)_L`$ is split.

Let $`\widehat{L}`$ be a completion of $`L`$ with respect to the prolongation of the $`t`$-adic valuation on $`F(t)`$ given by Lemma 4.2. The norm of $`(x^2+p,b)_L`$ is the form $`1,(x^2+p),b,b(x^2+p)`$ over $`L`$. Since $`x`$ has value 1, over $`\widehat{L}`$ this form has one residue form $`1,p,b,bp`$ over the residue field $`F`$. This is the norm of the algebra $`(p,b)_F`$, which is anisotropic because the algebra is nonsplit. By Springer’s Theorem, the norm of $`(x^2+p,b)_L`$ is anisotropic over $`\widehat{L}`$, hence the algebra is not $`L`$-split, which contradicts our assumption that $`(x,b)_L`$ is isomorphic to $`(qt,b)_L`$. ∎

4.4. Proof of 4.1. Let $`F(\sqrt{b})`$ be the quadratic extension which splits the given quasi-split group $`G`$. Let $`F_0:=F(p,t)`$ for $`p`$, $`t`$ indeterminates. Set $`L_0:=F_0(t)[x]/(x^3+px+t)`$; it is a separable cubic non-Galois extension of $`F_0`$ by 4.2. Set $`F^{}`$ to be the function field of the Severi-Brauer variety of the quaternion algebra $`(t,b)_{F_0}`$. Since $`F_0`$ is algebraically closed in $`F^{}`$, $`L^{}:=L_0_{F_0}F^{}`$ is a field which is cubic and not Galois over $`F^{}`$; it is the function field of the Severi-Brauer variety of $`(t,b)_{L_0}`$.

Since $`b`$ is not a square in $`F`$, the quaternion algebras $`(p,b)_{F_0}`$ is not split. By 4.3, $`(x,b)_{L_0}`$ is nonsplit and is not isomorphic to $`(t,b)_{L_0}`$, hence $`(x,b)_L^{}(x,b)_{L_0}_{L_0}L^{}`$ is not split by a well-known theorem of Amitsur. The corestriction $`\mathrm{cor}_{L^{}/F^{}}(x,b)_L^{}`$ is $`(t,b)_F^{}`$, which is split. Thus there is a simply connected isotropic trialitarian group $`T^{}`$ over $`F^{}`$ with nontrivial Tits algebra $`(x,b)_L^{}`$ \[Ga 98, 4.7\]. It is of type $`{}_{}{}^{6}D_{4}^{}`$ since $`L^{}`$ is not Galois over $`F^{}`$. By 3.1, there is a simple simply connected group $`G^{}`$ over $`L^{}`$ of type $`{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$ which is a strongly inner form of $`G_L^{}`$ such that $`T^{}`$ is a subgroup of $`G^{}`$ with Rost multiplier 1.$`\mathit{}`$

## 5. Ramification

Let $`G`$ be an algebraic group over $`F`$. We say that an invariant $`a\mathrm{Inv}^3(G)`$ is unramified if the composition

$$\begin{array}{ccccc}H^1(E((t)),G)& \stackrel{a}{}& H^3(E((t)))& \stackrel{}{}& H^2(E)\end{array}$$

is 0 for every field extension $`E`$ of $`F`$. Otherwise we say that $`a`$ is ramified. The following example is typical:

###### Example 5.1.

($`\mathrm{char}F3`$) Let $`F`$ be a field with a primitive cube root of unity, and let $`L=F(\lambda ^{1/3})`$ be a cubic Galois extension of $`F`$. We claim that the invariant $`a\mathrm{Inv}^3(PGL_3)`$ from §2 given by $`a(x)=\delta (x)(\lambda )`$ is ramified.

The set $`H^1(F,PGL_3)`$ classifies degree 3 cyclic central simple algebras $`(C,a)`$ for $`C`$ a cubic Galois extension of $`F`$ and $`aF^{}`$. Let $`[C]H^1(F,/3)`$ denote the class corresponding to $`C`$. Then $`\delta (C,a)(\lambda )`$ is $`\pm [C](a)(\lambda )`$ in $`H^3(F,𝝁_3^2)`$. Taking $`E=F(u)`$ for $`u`$ an indeterminate and $`C=E((t))(t^{1/3})`$ a cubic Galois extension of $`E((t))`$, we have

$$[\delta (C,u)(\lambda )]=\pm (u)(\lambda )H^2(E).$$

This is nonzero in $`H^2(E)`$ since $`u`$ is not a norm from the extension $`E(\lambda ^{1/3})/E`$. Hence $`a`$ is ramified, as claimed.$`\mathit{}`$

For the rest of the section, we assume that $`G`$ is simple and simply connected. We write $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)`$ for the subset of unramified invariants in $`\mathrm{Inv}^3(G)`$. It is a subgroup since $``$ is a group homomorphism.

###### Lemma 5.2.

\[M 02\] $`H_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(BG)_{\mathrm{norm}}\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)`$.$`\mathit{}`$

In particular, $`H_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(BG)_{\mathrm{norm}}`$ is necessarily finite, see §1.

5.3. If $`F`$ has prime characteristic $`p`$, then multiplication by $`p`$ is an isomorphism of $`(/)^{}(2)`$. Hence $`H^3(F)`$, $`\mathrm{Inv}^3(G)`$, and — by 5.2$`H_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(BG/F)_{\mathrm{norm}}`$ have no nontrivial $`p`$-torsion.

This explains the hypothesis “$`\mathrm{char}F2`$” in the Main Theorem: a simply connected group $`G`$ of type $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$ with nontrivial Tits algebras “should” have $`H_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(BG)_{\mathrm{norm}}=/2`$, but this is impossible in characteristic 2.

###### Strongly Inner Lemma 5.4.

Let $`G`$ be a simple simply connected group over $`F`$, and fix $`zZ^1(F,G)`$. The canonical identification $`\mathrm{Inv}^3(G)=\mathrm{Inv}^3(G_z)`$ defined by $`r_Gr_{G_z}`$ restricts to an identification $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)=\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G_z)`$.

###### Proof.

Let $`E`$ be an extension of $`F`$, and consider the diagram

$$\begin{array}{ccccc}H^1(E((t)),G)& \stackrel{mr_G}{}& H^3(E((t)))& \stackrel{}{}& H^2(E)\\ \tau _z& & mr_G\left(z\right)& & & & \\ H^1(E((t)),G_z)& \stackrel{mr_{G_z}}{}& H^3(E((t)))& \stackrel{}{}& H^2(E),\end{array}$$

where $`\tau _z`$ is the twisting isomorphism. The left box commutes by \[Gi 00, p. 76, Lem. 7\] or \[MPT, 1.7\]. The right box commutes because $``$ is a group homomorphism and $`(r_G(z))=0`$.

Hence $`mr_G`$ is ramified if and only if $`mr_{G_z}`$ is. Since $`G`$ and $`G_z`$ are strongly inner forms of each other, they have $`n_G=n_{G_z}`$, hence $`n_G^{}=n_{G_z}^{}`$. The claim follows. ∎

5.5. Functoriality (homomorphisms). Let $`\alpha :HG`$ be a morphism of algebraic groups. Then $`\alpha `$ induces a natural map

$$\alpha ^{}:\mathrm{Inv}^3(G)\mathrm{Inv}^3(H)$$

which restricts to a homomorphism

$$\alpha _{\mathrm{nr}}^{}:\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(H).$$

Now suppose that $`H`$ and $`G`$ are simple simply connected. If the Rost multiplier of $`\alpha `$ is 1, then $`n_H`$ divides $`n_G`$, hence $`n_G^{}/n_H^{}`$ divides $`n_G/n_H`$. (See §1 for definitions.) Also, $`\alpha ^{}`$ is a surjection with kernel of order $`n_G^{}/n_H^{}`$. Then we have: If $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(H)`$ is trivial, then $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)`$ is $`(n_G/n_H)`$-torsion.

5.6. Functoriality (scalar extension). Let $`K`$ be an extension field of $`F`$, and write $`G_K`$ for $`G\times _FK`$. The restriction homomorphism

$$\mathrm{res}_{K/F}:\mathrm{Inv}^3(G/F)\mathrm{Inv}^3(G/K)$$

is the natural surjection $`/n_G^{}/n_{G_K}^{}`$; its kernel is the $`(n_G^{}/n_{G_K}^{})`$-torsion in $`\mathrm{Inv}^3(G/F)`$. It restricts to a homomorphism

$$(\mathrm{res}_{K/F})_{\mathrm{nr}}:\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F)\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/K).$$

The kernel of this map is killed by $`n_G^{}/n_{G_K}^{}`$, hence by $`n_G/n_{G_K}`$. We have: If $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/K)`$ is trivial, then $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F)`$ is $`(n_G/n_{G_K})`$-torsion.

## 6. The case where $`G`$ has trivial Tits algebras

In this section, we prove:

###### Proposition 6.1.

Suppose that $`G`$ is a simple simply connected exceptional algebraic group defined over a field $`F`$. If $`G`$ has only trivial Tits algebras, then $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)=0`$.

That is, the Main Theorem holds for groups with only trivial Tits algebras by 5.2. In proving the proposition, we may assume that $`G`$ is quasi-split by the Strongly Inner Lemma 5.4.

The proposition still holds if the hypothesis “exceptional” is dropped; the classical groups are treated in \[M 02\].

6.2. Type $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$. Let $`L`$ be a separable cubic extension of $`F`$ over which the quasi-split group $`G`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{1}D_{4}^{}`$. Since $`G`$ is quasi-split, $`n_{G_L}=2`$ and $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/L)=0`$ by \[M 02, 8.5\]. Hence $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F)`$ is 3-torsion by 5.4. By 5.2 we may assume that $`\mathrm{char}F3`$.

Let $`F^{}`$ be the extension obtained from $`F`$ by adjoining (if not already in $`F`$) a primitive cube root of unity. Then $`G`$ is still of type $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$ over $`F^{}`$ and the invariants $`2r_G`$ and $`4r_G`$ are ramified over $`F^{}`$ by 2.2 and 5.1. Since $`2r_G`$ and $`4r_G`$ are the only nontrivial 3-torsion elements of $`\mathrm{Inv}^3(G/F)`$, we have shown that $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)`$ is 0.

###### Lemma 6.3.

Let $`G`$ be simple simply connected of type $`{}_{}{}^{6}D_{4}^{}`$ over $`F`$. Then $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)=0`$.

###### Proof.

Let $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ be the unique quadratic extension of $`F`$ over which $`G`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$. Let $`K`$ be a generic quasi-splitting field for $`G`$ over $`\mathrm{\Delta }`$ as in \[KR\]. Then $`G`$ is quasi-split of type $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$ over $`K`$, hence $`n_{G_K}=6`$ and $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/K)=0`$ by the $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$ case (6.1). We have that $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F)`$ is 2-torsion by 5.4.

Let $`L`$ be a cubic extension of $`F`$ over which $`G`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{2}D_{4}^{}`$. Then $`n_{G_L}=2`$ or $`4`$ and $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/L)=0`$ by \[M 02, 8.5\]. Since $`n_G=6`$ or 12 (as $`n_{G_L}=2`$ or 4), $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F)`$ is 3-torsion.

Combining the two previous paragraphs, we find $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F)=0`$. ∎

6.4. Type $`G_2`$. Here $`n_G=2`$, so we may assume that $`\mathrm{char}F2`$. The Rost invariant for the split group of type $`G_2`$ is given explicitly in \[KMRT, p. 441\]. It is the Elman-Lam invariant for 3-Pfister quadratic forms, which is clearly ramified.

6.5. Type $`F_4`$. The split $`G_2`$ is contained in our split group $`G`$ of type $`F_4`$ with Rost multiplier 1. Since $`n_{F_4}=6`$ and $`n_{G_2}=2`$, the group $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)`$ is $`3`$-torsion by 5.4 and the $`G_2`$ case (6.3). In characteristic $`3`$, the mod 3 part of the Rost invariant is described in \[PR, 3.2\], and it is clearly ramified. So $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)=0`$.

6.6. Type $`{}_{}{}^{1}E_{6}^{}`$. The split group $`G`$ of type $`E_6`$ contains a subgroup which is split of type $`F_4`$ \[Sp, 14.20, 14.24\] with Rost multiplier 1 \[Ga 01a, 2.4\], and we have $`n_{F_4}=n_G=6`$. Hence $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)=0`$ by 5.4 and the $`F_4`$ case (6.3).

6.7. Type $`{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$. The group $`G`$ is split by a quadratic extension and $`n_G=12`$. By 5.4 and the $`{}_{}{}^{1}E_{6}^{}`$ case (6.3), $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)`$ is 2-torsion, hence we may assume that $`\mathrm{char}F2`$.

Let $`G^{}`$, $`L^{}`$, and $`T^{}`$ be as constructed in 4.1. By Lemma 6.3, $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(T^{}/L^{})=0`$. Since $`T^{}`$ is isotropic and non-quasi-split, it has nontrivial Tits algebras \[Ga 98, 5.6\] and $`n_T^{}=12`$. Since $`n_G^{}=12`$ and the inclusion $`T^{}G^{}`$ has Rost multiplier 1, we have $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G^{}/L^{})=0`$. By the Strongly Inner Lemma, $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/L^{})=0`$. Since $`G`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$ over $`F`$ and $`L^{}`$, we have $`n_G=n_{G_L^{}}`$, hence $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F)=0`$ by 5.4.

6.8. Type $`E_7`$. The natural inclusion of root systems gives a split simply connected subgroup of type $`E_6`$ inside the split group $`G`$ of type $`E_7`$. Since $`n_G=12`$ and $`n_{E_6}=6`$, $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)`$ is 2-torsion by 5.4 and the $`{}_{}{}^{1}E_{6}^{}`$ case (6.3). Hence we may assume that $`\mathrm{char}F2`$.

Set $`F^{}=F(x)`$ and $`K=F^{}(\sqrt{x})`$. There is a quasi-split simply connected group $`E_6^K`$ over $`F`$ of type $`{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$ associated with the extension $`K/F^{}`$; it injects into $`G_F^{}`$ with Rost multiplier 1 \[Ga 01a, §3\]. Since $`n_{E_6^K}=n_{G_F^{}}=12`$, $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F^{})=0`$ by 5.4 and the $`{}_{}{}^{2}E_{6}^{}`$ case (6.3). Since $`n_G=12`$, we have $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F)=0`$.

6.9. Type $`E_8`$. As in the previous cases, we may assume that our group $`G`$ of type $`E_8`$ is actually split. The natural inclusion of root systems gives an embedding of a split simply connected group of type $`E_7`$ in $`G`$ with Rost multiplier 1, so $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)`$ is 5-torsion by 5.4 and the $`E_7`$ case (6.3). In particular, we may assume that $`\mathrm{char}F5`$ by 5.2.

Let $`F^{}`$ be the extension obtained from $`F`$ by adjoining two indeterminates and (if necessary) a primitive 5th root of unity. There is an $`F^{}`$-central division algebra $`D`$ of dimension $`5^2`$, namely the symbol algebra determined by the two indeterminates. Arguing in a manner similar to \[Gi 02, §1\], one finds a strongly inner form $`G^{}`$ of $`G`$ over $`F^{}`$ and an injection $`SL_1(D)G^{}`$ with Rost multiplier 1. Now $`n_{SL_1(D)}=5`$ \[M 03, 11.5\] and $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(SL_1(D)/F^{})=0`$ (as can be seen from the explicit formula for the Rost invariant in \[M 03, p. 138\]), hence $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G^{}/F^{})`$ is 12-torsion by 5.4. By the Strongly Inner Lemma, $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F^{})`$ is 12-torsion. Since the Dynkin index of $`G`$ is 60 over $`F`$ and $`F^{}`$, $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F)`$ is 12-torsion by 5.4.

Combining the two preceding paragraphs gives that $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)`$ is 0. This completes the proof of Prop. 6.1. $`\mathit{}`$

## 7. Proof of the main theorem

Let $`G`$ be as in the Main Theorem 0.2. If $`G`$ has only trivial Tits algebras (e.g., $`G`$ is of type $`G_2`$, $`F_4`$, or $`E_8`$), then the Main Theorem holds for $`G`$ by Prop. 6.1 and Lemma 5.2.

If $`G`$ is of type $`E_6`$ or $`E_7`$, then we pick a generic quasi-splitting field $`K`$ of $`G`$ over $`F`$. We have $`n_{G_K}=n_G`$ and $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/K)=0`$ (by 6.1), hence $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G/F)=0`$ by 5.4.

If $`G`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{6}D_{4}^{}`$, the Main Theorem holds by Lemma 6.3. The remaining case is where $`G`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$ with nontrivial Tits algebras. We have $`n_G=12`$ and as in the proof of 6.3, $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)`$ is 2-torsion. Hence we may assume that $`\mathrm{char}F2`$.

The only nontrivial 2-torsion element of $`\mathrm{Inv}^3(G)`$ is $`6r_G`$, so we will complete the proof of the Main Theorem if we show that $`6r_G`$ is unramified. That is, if we show that for every extension $`E`$ of $`F`$, the composition

(7.1)
$$\begin{array}{ccccc}H^1(E((t)),G)& \stackrel{6r_{G_{E((t))}}}{}& H^3(E((t)))& \stackrel{}{}& H^2(E)\end{array}$$

is trivial.

If $`G`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{1}D_{4}^{}`$ over $`E`$, then $`n_{G_E}=2`$ or 4 \[M 03, 15.4\]. Hence $`6r_{G_{E((t))}}=2r_{G_{E((t))}}`$ and the composition (7.1) is trivial by \[M 02, 8.2\].

Otherwise, $`G_E`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$. That is, if $`L`$ is a cubic Galois extension of $`F`$ over which $`G`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{1}D_{4}^{}`$, the tensor product $`L_E:=L_FE`$ is a cubic field extension of $`E`$. We have a diagram

$$\begin{array}{ccccc}H^1(E((t)),G)& \stackrel{6r_{G_{E((t))}}}{}& H^3(E((t)))& \stackrel{}{}& H^2(E)\\ \mathrm{res}& & \mathrm{res}& & \mathrm{res}_{L_E/E}& & \\ H^1(L_E((t)),G)& \stackrel{6r_{G_{L_E((t))}}}{}& H^3(L_E((t)))& \stackrel{}{}& H^2(L_E).\end{array}$$

The left box commutes because the Rost invariant is compatible with restriction, and the right box commutes because the extension $`E((t))L_E((t))`$ is unramified, hence the whole diagram commutes. Fix a class $`\alpha `$ in $`H^1(E((t)),G)`$. Since $`G_{L_E((t))}`$ is of type $`{}_{}{}^{1}D_{4}^{}`$, the composition of the two bottom arrows is 0 by the preceding paragraph, and the image of $`\alpha `$ in $`H^2(L_E)`$ is 0. Let $`\beta H^2(E)`$ be the image of $`\alpha `$; it is 2-torsion because $`6r_G`$ is 2-torsion. Hence

$$\beta =3\beta =\mathrm{cor}_{L_E/E}\mathrm{res}_{L_E/E}(\beta ),$$

which is 0 by the commutativity of the diagram. This shows that the composition (7.1) — which is the top row of the diagram — is 0 in this case.

Thus $`\mathrm{Inv}_{\mathrm{nr}}^3(G)=/2`$ for $`G`$ of type $`{}_{}{}^{3}D_{4}^{}`$ with nontrivial Tits algebras when $`\mathrm{char}F2`$. This completes the proof of the Main Theorem 0.2. $`\mathit{}`$

### Acknowledgements

I thank Alexander Merkurjev for suggesting the problem and for many enlightening conversations.