Kähler-Ricci shrinkers and Fano fibrations

Abstract: In this paper, we build connections between K\"ahler-Ricci shrinkers, i.e., complete (possibly non-compact) shrinking gradient K\"ahler-Ricci solitons, and algebraic geometry. In particular, we (1). prove that a K\"ahler-Ricci shrinker is naturally a quasi-projective variety, using birational algebraic geometry; (2). formulate a conjecture relating the existence of K\"ahler-Ricci shrinkers and K-stability of polarized Fano fibrations, which unifies and extends the YTD type conjectures for K\"ahler-Einstein metrics, Ricci-flat K\"ahler cone metrics and compact K\"ahler-Ricci shrinkers; (3). formulate conjectures connecting tangent flows at singularities of K\"ahler-Ricci flows and algebraic geometry, via a 2-step degeneration for the weighted volume of a Fano fibration.