Algebraic surfaces of general type with \(c^ 2_ 1 =3p_ g -7\) (Q1174403)

Let \(S\) be a minimal algebraic surface of general type defined over \(\mathbb{C}\). If its canonical map is birational, we have \(c^ 2_ 1(S)\geq3p_ g(S)-7\) in view of an inequality by Castelnuovo. In this paper surfaces \(S\) such that \(c^ 2_ 1(S)=3p_ g(S)-7\) are studied. If the canonical map is birational, we get again the surfaces Castelnuovo himself had already considered. He had proved that their canonical model is contained in a threefold \(W\) of ``minimal degree''. The authors review Castelnuovo's treatment and prove that \(W\) is either \(\mathbb{P}^ 3\), a hyperquadric, a cone over the Veronese surface, or a rational normal scroll. In each case they describe the canonical model as a divisor on \(W\). The authors also study the deformations of such surfaces and compute the number of moduli. In the case when \(p_ g=4\), they also characterize the case when \(S\) contains a pencil of nonhyperelliptic curves. If the canonical map is not birational, it is a 2:1 rational map onto a ruled surface. The authors show the existence of such surfaces containing a pencil of hyperelliptic curves of small genus in line with a result by \textit{G. Xiao} [Manuscr. Math. 57, 125-148 (1987; Zbl 0615.14022)].