Characterization of space curves with inseparable Gauss maps in extremal cases (Q2277042)

Let X be a non-degenerate curve of degree d in a projective space defined over an algebraically closed field of positive characteristic, and denote by n the degree of the Gauss map of X defined by the embedded tangents: \(d-n\geq 0\) always holds by Bézout's theorem. The author studies the curves X with \(d-n=0\) and \(=1\), and then obtains a characterization of X's with \(d=n\) as a strange plane curve with centre off the curve and a classification of X's with \(d=n+1\) into 4 types. It turns out that the characterization gives another proof for A. Hefez's theorem on ``extremal'' curves [\textit{A. Hefez}, Compos. Math. 69, No.1, 3-35 (1989; Zbl 0706.14024); (7.10)] and that the classification generalizes recent results of \textit{E. Ballico} and \textit{A. Hefez} [``Non-reflexive projective curves of low degree'', Manuscr. Math. 70, No.4, 385-396 (1991); theorems 1 and 2.]