The geometry of degenerations of Hilbert schemes of points

Abstract: Given a strict simple degeneration $f \colon X\to C$ the first three authors previously constructed a degeneration $I^n_{X/C} \to C$ of the relative degree $n$ Hilbert scheme of $0$-dimensional subschemes. In this paper we investigate the geometry of this degeneration, in particular when the fibre dimension of $f$ is at most $2$. In this case we show that $I^n_{X/C} \to C$ is a dlt model. This is even a good minimal dlt model if $f \colon X \to C$ has this property. We compute the dual complex of the central fibre $(I<sup>n_{X/C})_0$ and relate this to the essential skeleton of the generic fibre. For a type II degeneration of $K3$ surfaces we show that the stack ${\mathcal I}^n_{X/C} \to C$ carries a nowhere degenerate relative logarithmic $2$-form. Finally we discuss the relationship of our degeneration with the constructions of Nagai.