Non-singular models of specialized Weddle surfaces

Abstract

There are, in projective space Σ of three dimensions, two famous quartic surfaces: W, the Weddle surface with six nodes ((13), p. 69, footnote) and K, the Kummer surface with sixteen ((s), p. 246, (7) passim). They are in birational correspondence and have the same non-singular model: the octavic base surface F of the net of quadrics in [5], which contain a given line λ and for which a given simplex S is self-polar ((5); (6)). One naturally takes S, with vertices X0, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 as simplex of reference for homogeneous coordinates x0, x1, x2, x3, x4, x5; F is invariant under the harmonic inversions hj in the vertices Xj and opposite bounding primes xj = 0 of S. These six hj, mutually commutative and having identity for their product, generate an elementary abelian group of order 32. This representation of throws into prominence what may, in this context, be called its positive subgroup , of order 16, consisting of identity and the 15 products hjhk = hkhj; these are harmonic inversions in the edges XjXk and opposite bounding solids xj = xk = 0 of S. The coset of consists of the six hj and their ten products in threes, complementary products being the same (h0h1h2 ≡ h3h4h5) because of the product of all six hj being identity. These ten products are harmonic inversions in the ten pairs of opposite plane faces of S.