Gaussian maps on algebraic curves (Q2277045)

If C is a complete nonsingular algebraic curve over \({\mathbb{C}}\) and L, M line bundles (of positive degree) over C, then filtering by powers of the ideal sheaf I defining the diagonal in \(C\times C\) leads to groups \(R_ j(L,M)=H^ 0(C\times C,p^*_ 1L\otimes p^*_ 2M\otimes I^ j)\) and maps \(\Phi_ j: R_ j(L,M)\to H^ 0(C,L\otimes M\otimes Sym^ j\Omega^ 1_ c)\). This paper continues the study of surjectivity properties of \(\Phi_ 1=\Phi_{L,M}\). If \(L=M\), the map factors through a map \(\Phi_ L\), of the antisymmetric part \(\Lambda^ 2H^ 0L\) which can be geometrically interpreted via a `Gauss map' taking a point of a projective curve C to the tangent line at that point. The author's earlier result [Duke Math. J. 55, 843-871 (1987; Zbl 0644.14001)] that for curves C on a K3 surface, \(\Phi_ K\) is not surjective had important consequences. Numerous detailed results are obtained in this paper; the most general one asserts the surjectivity of \(\Phi_{L,M}\) whenever \(\deg (L)\geq 5g+1\) and \(\deg (M)\geq 2g+2\). The key idea for most of the proofs is the following version of Castelnuovo's `base point free pencil trick'; if L is a line bundle such that \(H^ 0L\) defines an immersion of C, and F a coherent sheaf with \(H^ 1(F\otimes L^{-2})=H^ 1(F\otimes L^{- 2}\otimes K^{-1})=0\), then \(\Phi_{L,F}\) is surjective. The main results follow by arguments similar to ones used by \textit{D. Mumford} [CIME \(3\circ Ciclo\) Varenna 1969, Quest. algebraic varieties, 29-100 (1970; Zbl 0198.258)] for the case \(j=0\).