Brill-Noether theory for stable vector bundles (Q1814241)

Let \(S(n,d)\) (respectively \(S'(n,d))\) be the moduli space of semistable (respectively stable) vector bundles of rank \(n\) and degree \(d\) on a nonsingular projective curve \(X\) of genus \(g\). Let \(W^{tr}_{n,d}\) (respectively \(W^ r_{n,d})\) be the subset of \(S'(n,d)\) (respectively \(S(n,d)\) consisting of vector bundles \(E\) such that \(\dim(\mathbb{P}(H^ 0(X,E)))\geq r\). From the theory of determinantal varieties, the expected dimension of \(W^ r_{n,d}\) is conjectured to be an integer \(\rho(n,d,r,g)\). If \(n=1\), the expected dimension is correct and one also has \(W^{'r+1}_{1,d}=\) the singular set of \(W^{'r}_{1,d}\). \textit{N. Sundaram} [Tôhoku Math. J., II. Ser. 39, 175-213 (1987; Zbl 0631.14021)] showed that \(W^ 0_{n,d}\) for \(0<d\leq n(g-1)\) is irreducible and right dimensional for all \(X\). Laumon pointed out that \(\hbox{Sing}(W^{'0}_{n,d})=W^{'1}_{n,d}\). The author shows that \(W^{r+1}_{n,d}\subseteq\hbox{Sing}(W^ r_{n,d})\), equality may not hold. The main result of the paper gives a set of sufficient conditions for \(W^ r_{n,d}\) to have a component of right dimension for a generic \(X\). To prove the main theorem, the author generalises the notion of limit linear series for line bundles [\textit{D. Eisenbud} and \textit{J. Harris}, Invent. Math. 85, 337-371 (1986; Zbl 0598.14003)] to define linear series for vector bundles. She considers degeneration of a nonsingular curve \(X\) of genus \(g\) to a tree \(Y\) of rational curves with \(g\) elliptic curves attached to it, each by a single point. The limit of the linear series on \(X\) gives rise to a limit series on a curve semistably equivalent to \(Y\). Thus the result is proved by degeneration technique.