On bundles of rank 3 computing Clifford indices (Q1950277)

Let \(C\) be a smooth complex irreducible projective algebraic curve. The authors defined [in: Affine flag manifolds and principal bundles. Basel, Birkhäuser, Trends in Math. 529--537 (2010; Zbl 1227.14038)] the \(n\)-th rank Clifford index of \(C\) as the minimum of the values \[ \mu(\mathcal E)-2\frac{h^0(\mathcal E)-r}{r}, \] for \(\mathcal E \) varying between rank \(r\) semistable bundles over \(C\) with \(\mu(\mathcal E)\leq g-1\) and \(h^0(\mathcal E)\geq 2\). Clearly, the rank one Clifford index is the classical Clifford index. There have been many achievements about this invariant in the subsequent years, mainly due to the authors themselves and to Mercat, Farkas and Ortega. In particular, much is known for the rank 2 case. In [Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 150, No. 1, 23--33 (2011; Zbl 1226.14045)], the authors established a lower bound for the rank three Clifford index. In the paper under review, they continue the study of the rank three case, improving the bound. In particular this gives as a consequence the existence of curves for which the third Clifford index is strictly larger than the second one, answering affirmatively to a question posed in [\textit{H. Lange} et al., Glasg. Math. J. 54, No. 2, 261--271 (2012; Zbl 1246.14049)].