The moduli of singular curves on \(K3\) surfaces (Q748073)

This paper studies the moduli properties of singular curves on \(K3\) surfaces. Let \({\mathcal{M}}_p\) denote the moduli space of curves of genus \(p\). The questions addressed in this paper are the following: Question 1: What is the dimension of the locus of curves \([C]\in{\mathcal{M}}_p\) admitting a singular model lying on a \(K3\) surface of genus \(g\)? Question 2: Furthermore, what conditions must a curve \([C]\) satisfy to admit a singular model \(D\) lying on a \(K3\) surface? These questions are reformulated in terms of stable maps in deformation theory. Let \({\mathcal{B}}_g\) denote the stack of pairs \((X,L)\) where \(X\) is a \(K3\) surface over \({\mathbb{C}}\) and \(L\) is an ample, primitive polarization with \((L)^2=2g-2\) for \(g\geq 3\). Denote by \({\mathcal{T}}_{g,k}^n\to {\mathcal{B}}_g\) the stack parametrizing tuples \([(f: C\to X, L)]\) with \(f\) an unramified morphism which is birational onto its image, \(C\) integral and smooth curve of genus \(p(g,k)-n\) and \(f_*C\in [kL]\). { Theorem 1}. For \(p(g,k)-n\geq 2\), there is a forgetful morphism \(\eta: {\mathcal{T}}_{g,k}^n\to {\mathcal{M}}_{p(g,k)-n}\), which is generically finite on at least one component, for all but finitely many values of \(p(g,k)-n\). The next result is about the image of the map \(\eta\). This is done by studying the Brill Noether theory of curves parametrized by the image of \(\eta\). Let \(W_C : \wedge^2 H^0(C,K_C)\to H^0(C,K_C^3)\) denote the Wahl map. \textit{J. Wahl} [J. Algeb. Geom. 76, 481--511 (1997; Zbl 0892.14022)] has conjectured that for \(C\) a smooth curve of genus \(g\geq 8\) which is Brill Noether in general, there exists a \(K3\) surface \(X\subseteq {\mathbb{P}}^g\) such that \(C\) is a hyperplane section of \(X\) if and only if the Wahl map \(W_C\) is non-surjective. The conjecture is known to be true when \(C\) is a smooth curve in a \(K3\) surface. Also if \(C\) is general and \(\mathrm{Pic}(X)\simeq {\mathbb{Z}}C\) then \(C\) is Brill-Noether general. The question was raised by Flamini-Knutsen-Pacienza-Sernesi [\textit{F. Flamini} et al., Commun. Algebra 36, No. 11, 3955--3971 (2008; Zbl 1187.14030)] whether there is a Wahl-type obstruction for a smooth curve to have a nodal model lying on a \(K3\) surface. The present paper gives an answer to a slightly altered question. {Theorem 2}. There is a Wahl type obstruction for a smooth curve with an unordered marking to have a nodal model lying on a \(K3\) surface in such a way that the marking is the divisor on the nodes. For Question 2, a positive answer is obtained. { Theorem 3}. There are no Brill Noether obstructions for a curve to have a nodal model lying on a \(K3\) surface.