On the existence of curves with \(A_k\)-singularities on \(K3\) surfaces (Q2255336)

Given a primitively polarized \(K3\) surface of genus p \((S,H)\), the main result of the paper is a proof of the existence in \(|\mathcal O_S(nH)|\) of irreducible curves with \(A_k\)-singularities This is done as follows. Following the proof non-emptiness of the Severi variety \(\mathcal V^S_{nH,1^\delta}\) of \(\delta\)-nodal curves provided in [\textit{X. Chen}, J. Algebr. Geom. 8, No. 2, 245--278 (1999; Zbl 0940.14024)], the authors consider a very general primitively polarized \(K3\) surface. This surface \(S_t\) can be degenerated to \(R_1\cup R_2\) where \(R_i\) are rational normal scrolls intersecting along a smooth elliptic curve \(E\). \textit{X. Chen} [J. Algebr. Geom. 8, No. 2, 245--278 (1999; Zbl 0940.14024)] showed how one can obtain rational nodal curves on \(S_t\) deforming curves of the form \(C=C_1\cup C_2\) having tacnodes at points of \(E\) and nodes elsewhere. Generalizing this proof, in the present paper the authors prove that the \(m\)-tacnodes of \(C\) can be deformed to \(d_k\) singularities of the \(A_{k-1}\), with the condition \(2\leq k\leq m\) and \(d_k\geq 0\) such that \(\sum_k d_k(k-1)=m-1\). This is the content of Theorem 3.3 in the paper. In the paper, applications of the previous result are provided as well.