On varieties with higher osculating defect (Q2436055)

The authors study \(k\)-dimensional varieties \(V\) of \(\mathbb P^N(\mathbb C)\) with defect in the embedded tangent variety. Based on results by Terracini they are able to characterize varieties with higher-order defect. The considerations are based on the method of moving frames and the study of the behaviour of higher-order fundamental forms. As a result, the authors show that varieties with small higher-order fundamental forms are contained in scrolls.