Quantitative Néron theory for torsion bundles (Q2391149)

Let \(R\) be a discrete valuation ring with algebraically closed residue field and \(C_K\) a smooth, geometrically connected and projective curve of genus \(g\geq 2\) over the field of fractions \(K\) of \(R\). For any positive integer \(r\) prime to the residual characteristic of \(R\) consider the finite \(K\)-group scheme Pic\(_{C_K}[r]\) of \(r\)-torsion line bundles over \(C_K\). In the paper under review, the author addresses the question of characterizing the curves \(C_K\) for which there is a finite \(R\)-group scheme which is an \(R\)-model of Pic\(_{C_K}[r]\). After showing why the obvious attempt of answering the question by studying the points of the Néron model of Pic\(_{C_K}[r]\) over \(R\) does not work, the author attacks the problem by relating the existence of finite models of Pic\(_{C_K}[r]\) on a stack-theoretic base with the existence of stack-theoretic (or twisted) semistable reductions of \(C_K\). Using this interplay the author is able to give a complete answer to the above question in terms of the geometric invariants of \(C_K\), namely by means of the dual graph of the minimal regular model of \(C_K\) over \(R\). This characterization completes previous work done by \textit{M. Deschamps} [Astérisque 86, 1--34 (1981; Zbl 0505.14008)] and \textit{D. Lorenzini} [Discrete Math. 91, No. 3, 277--282 (1991; Zbl 0755.05079)] and [J. Comb. Theory, Ser. B 98, No. 6, 1271--1300 (2008; Zbl 1175.05088)] yielding incomplete answers to the same question.