Algebraic cohomology of the moduli space of rank 2 vector bundles on a curve (Q2565088)

The (rational) algebraic cohomology ring \(H^*_A(X)\) of a smooth projective variety \(X\) is the subring of the ordinary ring \(H^*(X,{\mathbb Q})\) spanned by the algebraic cycles. Accordingly the algebraic Poincaré polynomial is defined by the formula \(P_A(X;t)=\sum_i \dim H_A^i(X)t^i\). Let \({\mathcal N}_C\) be the moduli stack of rank \(2\) stable holomorphic vector bundles on a smooth curve \(C\) of genus \(g\geq 2\) with fixed determinant of odd degree. Let \(J_C\) be the Jacobian of \(C\). The authors describe generators for \(H^*_A({\mathcal N}_C)\) and the algebraic Poincaré polynomial of \({\mathcal N}_C\). More precisely they show that \[ P_A({\mathcal N}_C;t)={{P_A(J_C;t^3)-t^g P_A(J_C;t)}\over{(1-t)(1-t^2)}} \] which is analogous to the classical formula for the ordinary Poincaré polynomial. The proof of this formula follows an idea of \textit{M. Thaddeus} [Invent. Math. 117, No. 2, 317-353 (1994; Zbl 0882.14003)], who relates a projective bundle over \({\mathcal N}_C\) to a projective space through a chain of smooth flips whose centers are symmetric powers \(S^kC\). Hence in order to prove this formula the authors firstly determine how the algebraic Poincaré polynomials (and later even the Chow groups) transform under a smooth flip in the sense of Thaddeus. They secondly determine the algebraic Poincaré polynomial of \(S^kC\) by using Collino's description of the Chow ring of \(S^kC\). Both these tools are developed very clearly and are nice to read. By a well known theorem of Newstead, the ordinary cohomology ring of \({\mathcal N}_C\) is generated by two classes \(\alpha\in H^2({\mathcal N}_C)\) , \(\beta\in H^4({\mathcal N}_C)\) and moreover by \(H^3({\mathcal N}_C)\) which corresponds in a natural way to \(H^1(J_C)\) where \(J_C\) is the Jacobian of \(C\). Hence Newstead's theorem can be expressed by the following statement: There is a surjective ring homomorphism \(\nu\colon {\mathcal Q}[\alpha, \beta ]\otimes H^*(J_C)\to H^*({\mathcal N}_C)\). The authors prove that \(\nu\) takes algebraic classes on \(J_C\) to algebraic classes on \({\mathcal N}_C\). It follows that \(H_A^*({\mathcal N}_C)= \nu( {\mathcal Q}[\alpha, \beta ]\otimes H_A^*(J_C))\). The authors remark that their arguments can be extended to prove that if the Hodge conjecture holds for \(J_C\) then it holds also for \({\mathcal N}_C\). A paper of \textit{A. D. King} and \textit{P. E. Newstead} about \(H^*({\mathcal N}_C)\) has appeared in Topology 37, No. 2, 407-418 (1998; Zbl 0913.14008)].