G. Martens' dimension theorem for curves of odd gonality (Q1818720)

The gonality of a projective curve \(C\) is the minimum integer \(k\) such that there exists a linear series \(g^1_k\) on \(C\). It is well known that this number influences the existence of other special linear series on the curve. For instance, when the gonality is odd, then the variety \(W^r_d(C)\) which parametrizes linear series of dimension \(r\) and degree \(d\) on \(C\) has dimension less or equal than \(d-3r\). \textit{G. Martens} [see Arch. Math. 67, No. 1, 80-88 (1996; Zbl 0872.14021)] classified all curves for which the previous bound is attained. In the paper under review, the authors provide a classification of curves of genus \(g\) having \(\dim(W^r_d(C))=d-3r-1\) for some \(d\leq g-4\). In particular, they prove that such curves have gonality \(5\) and genus less than or equal to \(20\), or gonality \(7\) and genus \(21\). For the proof, the authors use bounds of Castelnuovo's type on the genus of \(C\) and reduce themselves to a finite list of numerical possibilities for \(d\), \(r\), \(g\), \(k\). These possibilities are studied separately.