\(D\)-modules and finite monodromy (Q2413224)

Let \(X\) be a smooth complex variety and let \(M=(E, \nabla)\) be a vector bundle with an integrable connection \(\nabla\) on \(X\). The Grothendieck \(p\)-curvature conjecture says that if the reductions \(M_p\) have a full set of algebraic solutions modulo almost all primes \(p\) then \(M\) is isotrivial, i.e., it can be trivialized on some finite étale cover. Let us recall that although \(M\) corresponds to a \({\mathcal D}_ X\)-module, the reductions \(M_p\) usually do not carry a \({\mathcal D}_ {X_p}\)-module structure. The authors prove a few results related to the following weak version of the Grothendieck \(p\)-curvature conjecture: if for almost all \(p\) the reductions \(M_p\) underlie a \({\mathcal D}_ {X_p}\)-module structure then \(M\) is isotrivial. They prove this conjecture if \(X\) is projective and \(M=(E, \nabla)\) satisfies some further assumptions. The first result proves this conjecture under an additional assumption that \(E\) can be trivialized on some finite étale cover. The second theorem proves this conjecture assuming that \(M\) underlies a polarizable \(\mathbb Z\)-variation of Hodge structure. Since a coherent \({\mathcal D}_{X_p}\)-module \(M_p\) can be trivialized on some finite étale covering, one can define its monodromy group \(G(M_p)\). The last theorem proves the weak Grothendieck conjecture assuming that for almost all \(p\), \(p\) does not divide the order of \(G(M_p)\). This result proves a projective analogue of a conjecture of \textit{B. H. Matzat} and \textit{M. van der Put} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 557, 1--52 (2003; Zbl 1040.12010)]. The authors also explain that the original form of this conjecture is not correct.