On the variety of special linear systems on an algebraic curve (Q583295): Difference between revisions

Denoting by \(W^ r_ d(C)\) the variety of special linear systems on a given algebraic curve C of genus g, in case \(d\leq g+r-2\), \(\dim (W^ r_ d(C))\leq d-2r\) for any d and \(r\geq 1\) such that \(d\leq g+r-2\) and furthermore, equality holds if and only if C is hyperelliptic [cf. \textit{H. H. Martens}, J. Reine Angew. Math. 227, 111-120 (1967; Zbl 0172.463)]. One can then ask for a description of those non-hyperelliptic curves which achieve the maximum value d-2r-1 of \(W^ r_ d(C)\). This was given by \textit{D. Mumford} [in Contributions to Analysis, Collect, Papers dedic. L. Bers, 325-350 (1974; Zbl 0172.463)] who showed that for a non-hyperelliptic curve C, if \(\dim (W^ r_ d(C))=d-2r-1\) for some d and \(r\geq 1\) such that \(d\leq g+r-3\) then C is either a trigonal curve, a double cover of an elliptic curve, or a smooth plane curve of degree \( 5\). The basic idea behind the theorems of Mumford and Martens is that while \(\dim (W^ r_ d(C))\leq d-2r-1\) for any non-hyperelliptic curve C, for the range of d and r such that \(\dim (W^ r_ d(C))\) is greater than the expected value \(\rho (g,r,d)=g-(r+1)(g-d+r)\). C must be a special curve in the sense of moduli [cf. \textit{P. Griffiths} and \textit{J. Harris}, Duke Math. J. 47, 233-272 (1980; Zbl 0446.14011)]. Along the lines of this idea, one of the principal objects of this paper is to establish the generalization of the theorems of Martens and Mumford and to describe explicitly those curves C for which the dimension of \(W^ r_ d(C)\) is relatively close to its maximum possible value. It is proved that: if \(\dim (W^ r_ d(C))\geq d-2r-2\leq 0\) for some d and \(r\geq 1\) such that \(d\leq g+r-4\) with \(g\geq 9\), then C is either hyperelliptic, trigonal, a 4-sheeted cover of \({\mathbb{P}}^ 1\), a double cover of an elliptic curve, a double cover of a curve of genus 2, or a smooth plane curve of degree 6.