No label defined (Q4386479)

A theorem of A. Hirschowitz proves that any integral projective curve \(C\subset\mathbb P^3\) is contained in a surface of degree \(\leq (\sqrt{6\deg(C)-2} -2)\) and the bound is sharp, as some rational examples show. On the other hand, when the ``curve'' \(C\) is not necessarily integral, but just locally Cohen-Macaulay, the previous bound fails, as for any \(d\geq 2\) one can construct examples of non reduced curves of degree \(d\), not lying on surfaces of degree \(d-1\). The authors attach here the problem of generalizing the bound to every locally Cohen-Macaulay, generically locally complete intersection curve of \(\mathbb P^3\), using properties of the associated rank 2 reflexive sheaves \(F\) and their reductions. In this setting, they are led to consider the numerical invariant \(e(C) = \max\{m: \omega_C(-m)\) has a global section which generates the sheaf almost everywhere\(\}\) and they prove general bounds as: Any curve \(C\subset\mathbb P^3\) as above, of degree \(d\) and satisfying \(0\leq e(C)+4\leq 2\sqrt{d}\), must lie on surfaces of degree \(\leq\sqrt{6d-(e(C)+4)^2+1} -1\). These bounds are sharp for some values of \(e(C)\), e.g. for many general unions of lines.