On the cohomology of moduli spaces of (weighted) stable rational curves (Q2435094): Difference between revisions

The moduli space \(\overline{M}_{0,n}\) parametrizes complex Deligne--Mumford stable curves of genus \(0\) with \(n\) distinct smooth marked points. The paper under review presents a new algorithm to compute the character of the cohomology of \(\overline{M}_{0,n}\) as an \(S_n\)-module, where \(S_n\) denotes the symmetric group acting by permutation of the marked points. This algorithm is based on the moduli space of weighted stable curves constructed by \textit{B. Hassett} in [Adv. Math. 173, No. 2, 316--352 (2003; Zbl 1072.14014)]. A \textit{weight} is an \(n\)-tuple \(\mathbf{w}=(w_1,\dots,w_n)\) of rational numbers \(0<w_i\leq 1\) and a \textit{\(\mathbf{w}\)-weighted curve} is a curve \(C\) together with \(n\) smooth marked points that can possibly coincide when the sum of the corresponding weights is not greater than one. The definition of stability generalizes to \(\mathbf{w}\)-weighted curves and the moduli space \(\overline M_{\mathbf{w}}\) of \(\mathbf{w}\)-weighted rational curves coincides with \(\overline{M}_{0,n}\) for \(w_1=\dots=w_n=1\). On the other hand, \textit{Y.-H. Kiem} and \textit{H.-B. Moon} [Osaka J. Math. 48, No. 4, 1115--1140 (2011; Zbl 1253.14029)] prove that \(\overline{M}_{\mathbf{w}}\) coincides with the GIT quotient \((\mathbb{P}^1)^n\) by the action of \(\mathrm{PGL}(2)\) (respectively, its Kirwan desingularization) if \(n\) is odd (resp. even). Using Hassett's description of the birational morphisms between the spaces \(\overline{M}_{\mathbf{w}}\), one can obtain \(\overline{M}_{0,n}\) from \((\mathbb{P}^1)^n/\!/\mathrm{PGL}(2)\) by a sequence of blow-ups whose centers are unions of moduli spaces of weighted rational curves. This observation allows to give a recursive formula for the structure of \(H^*(\overline{M}_{0,n},\mathbb{Q})\) as an \(S_n\)-module. As an application, the authors then proceed to study the maximal length of the \(S_n\)-module \(H^*(\overline{M}_{0,n},\mathbb{Q})\), i.e. the maximal number of parts of the partitions corresponding to the irreducible \(S_n\)-representations occurring. In particular, this yields a refinement of a formula by \textit{G. Farkas} (ed.) and \textit{I. Morrison} (ed.) [Handbook of moduli. Volume I. Somerville, MA: International Press; Beijing: Higher Education Press (2013; Zbl 1260.14001), pp. 293--330].