Even sets of four nodes on rational surfaces (Q1769989)

Let \(Y\) be a smooth projective surface defined over an algebraically closed field of characteristic \(\neq 2\). A nodal curve of \(Y\) is a smooth rational curve \(N\) such that \(K_YN=0\). An even set of nodal curves is a set \(N_1,\dots N_k\) of disjoint nodal curves such that the divisor \(N_1+\cdots+N_k\) is divisible by \(2\) in Pic\((Y)\). Equivalently, \(N_1,\dots N_k\) is an even set if there exists a double cover \(X\to Y\) branched precisely on the union of the \(N_i\). It is easy to show that the number of curves in an even set is divisible by \(4\). Let now \(V\) be a ruled surface and let \(C\) be a smooth fibre of the ruling of \(V\). Choose a point \(P\in V\), blow it up and then blow up the intersection point of the strict transform of \(C\) with the exceptional curve: the strict transforms of \(C\) and of the exceptional curve of the first blow up are a pair of disjoint nodal curves on the blown up surface. Performing this operation \(m\) times on different smooth fibres of the ruling of \(V\), one obtains \(m\) pairs of disjoint nodal curves such that any union of an even number of such pairs is an even set. \textit{I. Dolgachev, M. Mendes Lopes} and \textit{R. Pardini} [Compos. Math. 132, No. 3, 349--363 (2002; Zbl 1059.14050)] have shown that if \(Y\) is a rational surface containing \(N_1, \dots N_k\) disjoint nodal curves with an even subset of at least \(8\) nodal curves, then every even subset of the \(N_i\) arises as explained above. In the paper under consideration, the authors prove the same statement for a rational surface \(Y\) containing an even set of \(4\) nodal curves. In this situation the methods of [loc. cit.] cannot be applied, and they are replaced by a careful study of curves and adjoint systems on a rational surface.