\(\mathcal D\)-elliptic sheaves and odd Jacobians (Q1932393)

Let \(F\) be a global field and let \(C\) be a smooth projective geometrically irreducible curve of genus \(g\) over \(F\). A place \(x\) of \(F\) is called \textit{deficient} for \(C\) if \(C_{F_x}=C \times_F F_x\) has no \(F_x\)-rational divisors of degree \(g-1\), where \(F_x\) denotes the completion of \(F\) at \(x\). It is known that the number of deficient places is finite. Let \(J\) be the Jacobian variety of \(C\) and assume that the Tate-Shafarevich group \(\text Ш (J)\) is finite. \textit{B. Poonen} and \textit{M. Stoll} [Ann. Math. (2) 150, No. 3, 1109--1149 (1999; Zbl 1024.11040)] proved that the order of \(\text Ш(J)\) is either a square (\(J\) is then called even) or twice a square (\(J\) is called odd in this case). They also proved that \(J\) is even if and only if the number of deficient places for \(C\) is even. As a consequence it is obtained that infinitely many hyperelliptic Jacobians over \({\mathbb Q}\) are odd for every even genus. For function fields, taking \(F={\mathbb F}_q(T)\) with \(q\) odd, the Tate--Shafarevich group of the Jacobian of the genus \(2\) curve \(C: y^2=Tx^6+x-aT\), where \(a\in {\mathbb F}^{\ast}_q\) is a non-square, has non-square order. \textit{B. W. Jordan} and \textit{R. Livné} [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 31, No. 6, 681--685 (1999; Zbl 1024.11043)] gave an infinite family over number fields with odd Jacobians. In the paper under review the author provides a function field analogue of the results of Jordan and Livné. Let \(D\) be a division quaternion algebra over \(F={\mathbb F}_q(T)\). Let \(R\) be the set of places where \(D\) ramifies. It is known that \(R\) is a nonempty finite set of even cardinality and for any such \(R\) there is a unique, up to isomorphism, division quaternion algebra ramified exactly at the places in \(R\). Assume that \(\infty:=1/T\) is not in \(R\). Let \({\mathcal D}\) be the maximal \({\mathbb F}_q[T]\)-order in \(D\). Then one associates a smooth projective curve \(X_{F_{\infty}}^{\mathcal D}\) over \(F_{\infty}\). This curve has a canonical model \(X_F^{\mathcal D}\) defined over \(F\). The automorphism group of \(X_F^{\mathcal D}\) contains a subgroup isomorphic to \(({\mathbb Z}/2{\mathbb Z})^{\#R}\) generated by involutions \(\{\omega_x\}_{x\in R}\). The main results of the paper are: \noindent { Theorem 1.2:} There are no deficient places for \(X_F^{\mathcal D}\) unless \(R=\{x,y\}\) and both places have odd degree. In this last case the deficient places for \(X_F^{\mathcal D}\) are \(x\) and \(y\). \noindent { Theorem 1.3:} If \(R=\{x,y\}\) and both places have even degree, \(4\nmid \deg (y)\) and the monic generator of the prime ideal of \({\mathbb F}_q[T]\) corresponding to \(y\) is not a square modulo the prime ideal corresponding to \(x\). Then \(x\) is the only deficient place for the quotient curve \(X_F^{\mathcal D}/\omega_y\). Furthermore, the author proves the following results: \(\bullet\) There are infinitely many odd Jacobians over \(F\). \(\bullet\) Only finitely many of the curves \(X_F^{\mathcal D}/\omega_y\) are hyperelliptic. \(\bullet\) It is possible to choose \(x\) and \(y\) of degree \(2\) and satisfying the conditions of Theorem 1.3. For such a choice, the Tate--Shafarevich group of the Jacobian variety of \(X_F^{\mathcal D} /\omega_y\) is finite and of dimension \((q^2-1)/2\). The proofs rely on results of the author in [J. Reine Angew. Math. 664, 115--140 (2012; Zbl 1296.11082)].