On surfaces of maximal sectional regularity (Q1750689)

The authors study syzygies of surfaces \(X \subseteq \mathbb{P}^r\), \(r \geq 5\), of degree \(d \geq r + 1\) which exhibit \textit{maximal sectional regularity}. A surface of maximal sectional regularity has the property that the Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity of a general hyperplane section curve achieves the largest possible value \(d - r + 3\). By \textit{M. Brodmann} et al. [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 221, No. 1, 98--118 (2017; Zbl 1393.14027)], such surfaces are classified according to two types: Type I: the surface \(X\) is contained in the rational normal threefold scroll \(S(1,1,1) \subseteq \mathbb{P}^5\) as a divisor which is linearly equivalent to \(H + (d-3)F\) where \(H\) and \(F\) are, respectively, the hyperplane divisor and a ruling plane; Type II: the surface \(X\) is contained in \(\mathbb{P}^r\), \(5 \leq r < d\), and there exists a plane in \(\mathbb{P}^r\) which intersects \(X\) in a one dimensional scheme of degree at least \(d - r + 3\). The main results of the present article imply, among other things, that these surfaces \(X \subseteq \mathbb{P}^r\), with maximal sectional regularity, have Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity equal to \(d - r + 3\). Further, in case that \(X\) is of Type II, then \(X\) is linearly normal. Motivated by their results, the authors also formulate a conjecture that pertains to the \textit{index of normality} for surfaces of maximal sectional regularity of Type II.