Degenerate singularities of one dimensional foliations (Q1955661)

The parameter space of foliations of degree \(d\) on the complex projective plane \(\mathbb{P}^2\) is a projective space \(\mathbb{P}^N\). Given an integer \(k\geq 2\), the authors give explicit formulas in terms of \(k\) and \(d\) of the degrees of three closed subsets \(M_k\), \(D_k\) and \(C_k\) of the parameter space \(\mathbb{P}^N\). \(M_k\) is the locus of foliations with a singularity of order \(\geq k\), that is, defined in local coordinates by a holomorphic 1-form that can be written as \(\omega=a_kdx+b_kdy+\)higher order terms, with \(a_k(x,y),b_k(x,y)\) homogeneous polynomials of degree \(k\). The set \(D_k\subseteq M_k\) is the locus of foliations with a dicritical singularity of order \(k\), that is, requiring \(a_kx+b_ky\) to vanish. Finally, \(C_k\subseteq D_k\) is the subvariety consisting of dicritical foliations having the property of maximal contact; this means that some leaf of the induced foliation on the blow up of \(\mathbb{P}^2\) at the singular point has a contact of order \(k\) with the exceptional line.