A speciality theorem for curves in \(\mathbb P^5\) (Q2467191)

Let \(C \subset \mathbb {P}^r\) be an integral non-degenerate degree \(d\) projective curve. The index of speciality \(e(C)\) of \(C\) is the maximal integer \(t\) such that \(h^0(C,\omega _C(-t)) > 0\). Here the authors extend to the case \(r >3\) a classical theorem of Halphen (case \(r=3\)). For instance, if \(r=5\) and \(C\) is not contained in any surface of degree \(<s\), any threefold of degree \(<u\) and any fourfold of degree \(<s\) and \(d \gg s \gg t \gg u\), then \(e(C) \leq d/s + s/t + t/u +u-6\), with equality if and only if \(C\) is a complete intersection of hypersurfaces of degree \(u, t/u, s/t, d/s\).