Algebraic curves with many automorphisms (Q2419264)

Let \(k\) be a an algebraically closed field of odd characteristic \(p>0\) and \(X\) be a (projective, geometrically irreducible, non singular) algebraic curve of genus \(g \geq 2\). In positive characteristic, the automorphism group \(G\) of \(X\) can have an order larger than Hurwitz bound \(84(g-1)\). When \(\# G\) is larger than this bound, one says that \(X\) has many automorphisms. Properties of these curves have been studied by many authors. \textit{P. Roquette} [Math. Z. 117, 157--163 (1970; Zbl 0194.35302)] showed that if \(g<p-1\) there is only one such curve. Then \textit{H. Stichtenoth} [Arch. Math. 24, 527--544 (1973; Zbl 0282.14006)] showed that only the hermitian curves \(X^{1+q}+Y^{1+q}+Z^{1+q}=0\) with \(q=p^n\) have an automorphism groups of order larger than \(16 g^4\). Finally, \textit{H.-W. Henn} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 302, 96--115 (1978; Zbl 0378.12011)] gave a classification of the curves with automorphism groups larger than \(8 g^3\). The present paper studies the relation with another important invariant the \(p\)-rank of the curve, i.e. the integer \(0 \leq r \leq g\) such that \(\mathrm{Jac} X[p] \simeq (\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z})^r\). \textit{S. Nakajima} [in: Current trends in number theory. Proceedings of the international conference on number theory, Allahabad, India, November 2000. New Delhi: Hindustan Book Agency. 129--134 (2002; Zbl 1060.14042)] proved that there are deep connections between the automorphism group and this number: in particular \(\#G \leq 84 g (g-1)\) when \(r=g\). In the opposite direction, all the curves with automorphism group larger than \(8 g^3\) appear to have a \(p\)-rank equal to \(0\). The authors show that when \(g\) is even then this is the case as soon as \(\#G < 900 g^2\). The odd genera are harder. The authors prove that if \(G\) is a solvable group and \(\#G < \frac{p}{p-2} 84 g^2\) then the \(p\)-rank is also \(0\). To prove these results, on the geometric side, they use Riemann-Hurwitz and Deuring Shafarevich formulas and previously known results on the structure of \(G\) and on its action on \(X\); on the group theory side they use many classification results of classical groups and properties of their Sylow subgroups. Among other results of independent interest which are proved in the article, they show that if \(g\) is even then either \(\#G\) is odd or the quotient of \(G\) by its larger normal subgroup of odd order belongs to a finite list of given cases.