A purity theorem for configuration spaces of smooth compact algebraic varieties

Abstract

B. Totaro showed \cite{totaro} that the rational cohomology of configuration spaces of smooth complex projective varieties is isomorphic as an algebra to the $E_2$ term of the Leray spectral sequence corresponding to the open embedding of the configuration space into the Cartesian power. In this note we show that the isomorphism can be chosen to be compatible with the mixed Hodge structures. In particular, we prove that the mixed Hodge structures on the configuration spaces of smooth complex projective varieties are direct sums of pure Hodge structures.