Characterization of smooth algebraic curves in the complex projective plane. (Q1775942)

Generalizing a result of \textit{Th. Buchanan} [Math.-Phys. Semesterber., N. F. 26, 244--260 (1979; Zbl 0413.51010)] for plane quadrics, the authors give the following topological characterization of plane curves. Theorem. \(\emptyset\neq C \subset \mathbb{P}^2\) is a complex plane algebraic curve of degree \(n\) iff (i) every line intersects \(C\) in at most \(n\) points; (ii) for \(P\in C\) fixed, \(\#(l\cap C)<n\) only for finitely many lines \(l\subset \mathbb{P}^2\) through \(P\); (iii) let \(l\) be a line, \(P\neq Q\in l\cap C\), then for every neighborhood \(U(P)\) there is a neighborhood \(V(l)\subset (\mathbb{P}^2)^*\) in the pencil of lines through \(Q\), such that \(h\cap U\neq \emptyset\) for all \(h\in V\). The proof uses mostly results from homotopy theory and is surprisingly straightforward and elementary.