On the Clifford theorem for surfaces (Q447969)

The present paper deals with Clifford type results for smooth projective complex surfaces. Any effective divisor \(D\) on a smooth projective surface \(X\) with irregularity \(q\) over \({\mathbb C}\), such that \(h^0(K_X-D)>0\) satisfies the inequality \(h^1(D)\leq q+\frac {1} {2} D(K_X-D)\). In the present paper the extremal cases (i.e. when the inequality is an equality) are characterized. This is the first main result. The second main result shows that an effective divisor \(D\) as above, with \(D\neq K_ X\), on minimal surfaces of general type satisfies \(h^0(D)\leq K_XD/2+1\). Again the cases of equality in this inequality are characterized. A proposal for generalizations of the notion of Clifford indices for surfaces is made and some properties of these indices are discussed. Finally as an application an upper bound for the number of moduli of a surface of general type is given, improving the result in (Theorem B) of \textit{F. Catanese} [J. Differ. Geom. 19, 483--515 (1984; Zbl 0549.14012)].