On the α-Invariants of Cubic Surfaces with Eckardt Points

Abstract

In this paper, we show that the α_{m,2}-invariant of a smooth cubic surface with Eckardt points is strictly bigger than 2/3. This can be used to simplify Tian's original proof of the existence of Kaehler-Einstein metrics on such manifolds. We also sketch the computations on cubic surfaces with one ordinary double points, and outline the analytic difficulties to prove the existence of orbifold Kaehler-Einstein metrics.

22 pages. We add a new section discussing singular stable cubic surfaces