Deformations of Hypersurfaces with Nonconstant Alexander Polynomial

Abstract

Abstract Let $X \subset \mathbf {P}^n$ be an irreducible hypersurface of degree $d\geq 3$ with only isolated semi-weighted homogeneous singularities, such that $\exp (\frac {2\pi i}{k})$ is a zero of its Alexander polynomial. Then we show that the equianalytic deformation space of $X$ is not $T$-smooth except for a finite list of triples $(n,d,k)$. This result captures the very classical examples by B. Segre of families of degree $6m$ plane curves with $6m^2$, $7m^2$, $8m^2$, and $9m^2$ cusps, where $m\geq 3$. Moreover, we argue that many of the hypersurfaces with nontrivial Alexander polynomial are limits of constructions of hypersurfaces with not $T$-smooth deformation spaces. In many instances, this description can be used to find candidates for Alexander-equivalent Zariski pairs.