A note on Griffiths infinitesimal invariant for curves (Q2015005)

The aim of the paper is to extend to the case of higher genus a pretty result due to \textit{P. A. Griffiths} [Compos. Math. 50, 267--324 (1983; Zbl 0576.14009)]. Given a general curve \(C\) of genus \(4\), the image of \(C\) under the canonical embedding is a divisor on a smooth quadric surface \(Q\). Restriction to \(C\) of the difference of the two rulings on \(Q\) gives a divisor of degree \(0\), \(L_ 1-L_ 2\). In this manner a normal function \(\nu\) is produced, which is given by evaluation of the Abel Jacobi map of said divisor when \(C\) varies in moduli. With the general aim of investigating the role played by variations of Hodge structures in the geometry of Abel Jacobi maps, Griffiths [loc. cit.] created a tool, we call it now the Griffiths' infinitesimal invariant \(\delta _{\nu} \) attached to \(\nu\). Griffiths' theorem says that \(\delta _{\nu} \) gives back \( C \subset Q\) and \(L_ 1-L_ 2\). Raviolo's generalization is the following. Let \(C\) be a generic curve of genus \(g\geqslant 4\). Take a non singular point \(L\in W_{g-1}^{1}(C)\) whose linear system is base-point free. The image of the arrow \(H^{0}(L)\otimes H^{0}(K_{C}\otimes L^{-1})\rightarrow H^{0}(\omega_{C})\) is a subspace \(V\) of dimension \(4\). Correspondingly there is a birational map \(\phi: C\rightarrow\mathbb{P}V^{*}\cong\mathbb{P}^{3}\). One has \(\phi (C) \subset Q\), which is here again a smooth quadric surface. By moving the couple \((C,L)\), one has then a normal function \(\nu\), given as before. Raviolo's theorem is that the infinitesimal invariant of \(\nu\) reconstructs the curve \(\phi(C)\) and also the couple \((C,L)\). The strategy of the proof requires use of certain properties of infinitesimal invariants found by \textit{C. Voisin}, cf. [C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. I 307, No. 4, 157--160 (1988; Zbl 0673.14005)].