Quotients of products of curves, new surfaces with \(p_{g} = 0\) and their fundamental groups (Q2903089)

Let \(C_1,\ldots,C_n\) be smooth projective curves and \(G\) be a finite group acting faithfully on each curve. The quotient \(X\) of the product of these curves by the action of \(G\) is a variety with cyclic quotient singularities. If these are isolated, they can be resolved by a normal crossing divisor, and in this case the fundamental group of \(X\) is equal to the fundamental group of a minimal resolution \(S\) of \(X\). In the first part of the paper, a structure theorem for the fundamental group of \(X\) is given. Then the authors consider the case where \(X\) is a surface of general type with \(p_g=0\). They show that \(X\) admits only ordinary double points as singularities, and its number is even and equal to \(8-K_S^2\). The smooth case \(K_S^2=8\) has been classified by the first three authors in [Pure Appl. Math. Q. 4, No. 2, 547--586 (2008; Zbl 1151.14027)]. In this paper under review the cases \(K_S^2=2,4,6\) are classified. Many new surfaces with interesting fundamental groups, which distinguish connected components of the moduli space of surfaces of general type, are constructed. In particular: two families of numerical Campedelli surfaces (\(K_S^2=2\)) with fundamental group \(\mathbb Z_3\); \(3\) new finite groups and \(4\) infinite groups for \(K_S^2=4\); \(3\) new finite groups and \(3\) infinite groups for \(K_S^2=6\).