On the surjectivity of the Wahl map (Q1825249)

Let C be a smooth algebraic curve of genus g defined over \({\mathbb{C}}\) and let \(\omega_ C\) be its canonical line bundle (identified with the associated invertible sheaf). The Wahl map of C, \({\mathbf{W}}: \bigwedge^ 2H^ 0(C,\omega_ C)\to H^ 0(C,\omega_ C^{\otimes 3})\) is defined as follows: Let \(\sigma\) and \(\tau \in H^ 0(C,\omega_ C).\) At any point \(P\in C\), choose a local generator \(\theta\) for \(\omega_ C\) and write \(\sigma =s\theta\) and \(\tau =t\theta\) with s, \(t\in {\mathcal O}_{C,P}\). Define \({\mathbf W}(\sigma \bigwedge \tau)=(tds- sdt)\theta^ 2\) locally at P. The main result of the present article is: Theorem. If C is a general curve of genus \(g\geq 10\) with \(g\neq 11\), then the Wahl map is surjective. The result is the best possible in view of the following results: (1) If C lies on a K3 surface, the Wahl map is not surjective [\textit{J. M. Wahl}, Duke Math. J. 55, 843-871 (1987; Zbl 0644.14001)]; (2) A general curve of genus g may be realized as the hyperplane section of a K3 surface if and only if \(g\leq 9\) or \(g=11\) [\textit{S. Mukai} in Algebraic geometry and commutative algebra, Vol. I, 357-377 (1988)].