Abstract:
Let k be any field of characteristic zero, X be a del Pezzo
surface of degree 2 and G be a group acting on X. In this paper
we study k-rationality questions for the quotient surface X/G. If there are no smooth k-points on X/G then X/G is
obviously non-k-rational.
Assume that the set of smooth k-points on the quotient is not
empty. We find a list of groups such that the quotient surface can be
non-k-rational. For these groups we construct examples of both
k-rational and non-k-rational quotients of both
k-rational and non-k-rational del Pezzo surfaces of degree
2 such that the G-invariant Picard number of X is 1. For all
other groups we show that the quotient X/G is always
k-rational.
Key words and phrases:
Rationality problems, del Pezzo surfaces, Minimal model program, Cremona group.