An explicit formula for the generic number of dormant indigenous bundles (Q473119)

Let \(X\) be a smooth projective curve of genus \(g\) defined over an algebraically closed field of characteristic \(p\). An \textit{indigenous bundle} on \(X\) is a \(\mathrm{PGL} _2\)-torsor with a connection \(\nabla\), for which there exists a section of the associated \(\mathbb P ^1\)-bundle with a nowhere vanishing derivative with respect to \(\nabla\). We say that an indigenous bundle is \textit{dormant} if its \(p\)-curvature vanishes. Dormant indigenous bundles were introduced by \textit{S. Mochizuki} [Publ. Res. Inst. Math. Sci. 32, No. 6, 957--1151 (1996; Zbl 0879.14009)] and they are closely related to opers, studied recently in positive characteristic by \textit{K. Joshi} and \textit{Ch. Pauly} in [Adv. Math. 274, 39--75 (2015)]. The moduli stack classifying genus \(g\) curves with a dormant indigenous bundle is equipped with a natural forgetful map to the stack of genus \(g\) curves. This map is finite, generically étale and the main aim of the paper under review is to prove the formula computing the degree of this map (assuming \(p>2g-2\)). This formula was conjectured by K. Joshi. The proof of this formula is by lifting to characteristic zero and using the result of Y. Holla computing degrees of certain Quot-schemes of sufficiently general stable bundles on curves. Recently, the author announced a proof of similar formulas in the higher rank case (see [``A theory of dormant opers on pointed stable curves -- a proof of Joshi's conjecture'', \url{arXiv:1411.1208}]).