On the Segre invariant for rank two vector bundles on \(\mathbb{P}^2\) (Q2238263)

The Segre invariant is a number associated to vector bundles of rank \(r\) on a curve, which induces a stratification of the moduli space of stable vector bundles with fixed rank and degree on the curve. In the paper under review, the definition of Segre invariant is generalized to vector bundles of rank \(2\) on a surface, as follows. Given a smooth irreducible complex surface \(X\) and an ample divisor \(H\) on \(X\), the Segre invariant of a vector bundle \(E\) on \(X\) is \[ S_H(E)= 2\min\{\mu_H(E)-\mu_H(L)\},\] where the minimum is taken over all line subbundles \(L\subset E\) and \(\mu_H\) denotes the \(H\)-slope. The authors then focus on the case \(X=\mathbb{P}^2\) and study the properties of the Segre invariant. In particular they completely characterize which values can appear as Segre invariant of a rank \(2\) vector bundle on \(\mathbb{P}^2\) and describe the geometric properties of the strata induced in the corresponding moduli spaces of stable bundles. Finally they give some applications to the Brill-Noether theory for rank \(2\) vector bundles on the projective plane.