On the automorphisms of some line congruences in \({\mathbb{P}}^ 3\) (Q1107839)

The automorphisms of line congruences \(k_ S\) in the 3-dimensional complex projective space \(P^ 3\), i.e. of surfaces S contained in the Grassmannian G(1,3)\(\subset P^ 5\), are studied via the analysis of the automorphisms of the associated focal loci. Several applications are given. For instance, S can be characterized to be a Veronese surface \((k_ S\) then consisting of the chords of a twisted cubic in \(P^ 3)\) by means of its automorphism group. Moreover, dim Aut(k\({}_ S)\) can be determined for some classes of surfaces S, in particular - by making use of known results (Goldstein, Papantonopoulou) on ruled surfaces contained in the Grassmannian - for the rational scrolls \(S\subset G(1,3)\).