Asymptotic behavior of Faltings's delta function (Q1813347)

The Faltings \(\delta\)-function is a function of a Riemann surface (i.e. on the moduli space) and it gives a factor of proportionality in a formula relating the Green's function and a Riemann \(\theta\)-function. Faltings asked about the behaviour of \(\delta(X)\) as \(X\) degenerates. After an extensive and clear survey of the general theory of the Faltings \(\delta\)-function, the author answers this question in a precise fashion for the crucial cases when \(X\) degenerates to two Riemann surfaces meeting at a double point, or to one Riemann surface with a single node. The proof involves a delicate analysis of the Arakelov-Faltings' theory on a family of Riemann surfaces which are constructed explicitly by a `holomorphic direct sum' construction due to J. Fay.