On the 2- and the 3-connectedness of ample divisors on a surface (Q1079609)

Let X be a nonsingular complex projective surface and let D be an effective divisor on X. D is called n-connected if \(D_ 1D_ 2\geq n\) for each effective decomposition \(D=D_ 1+D_ 2\). As is known, if D is ample, then D is 1-connected. The 2- and the 3-connectedness of very ample divisors have been investigated by \textit{A. Van de Ven} [Duke Math. J. 46, 403-407 (1979; Zbl 0458.14003)]. Assume that D is simply ample and that the associated invertible sheaf is spanned by its global sections; the main result of the paper is that D is 2-connected apart from a few cases which are explicitly described. Corresponding results are provided also for the 3-connectedness when \(D^ 2\geq 10\) and for the 4- connectedness when \(D^ 2\geq 17\) and D is very ample. Many examples with lower self-intersection index are discussed.