Local degeneration of the moduli space of vector bundles and factorization of rank two theta functions. I (Q1318140)

The main goal of the paper is to prove a factorization theorem for holomorphic sections of the determinant line bundle (``theta functions'') over the moduli space of rank two vector bundles on a Riemann surface as the surface degenerates. The sections appearing in the limit may be naturally identified with sections over the moduli space of parabolic bundles. The method of proof uses the geometry of certain CR-submanifolds of the moduli space.