Twists of non-hyperelliptic curves (Q520715)

Let \(k\) be a perfect field and \(\bar{k}\) an algebraic closure of \(k\). Let \(C\) be a smooth projective curve of genus \(> 0\). We denote by \(\text{Aut}(C)\) the group of automorphisms of \(C\) defined over \(\bar{k}\). The set of twists of \(C\) is defined to be the set of classes \[ \text{Twist}_k(C):=\{C^{\prime}/k\, \text{curve}|\, \text{ exists } \bar{k}-\text{isomorphism}\, \phi: C^{\prime}\rightarrow C\}/k-\text{isomorphism}. \] In this paper, a correspondence between the set \(\text{Twist}_k(C)\) and the set of solutions to a Galois embedding problem (c.f. Definition 9.4.1 in [\textit{J. Neukirch} et al. Grundlehren der mathematischen Wissenschaften 323. Berlin: Springer-Verlag (2000)]) is established. Note that if \(k\) is a number field, then there is no known method for solving a Galois embedding problem over \(k\). On the other hand, if \(k\) is a finite field, then a method for solving this problem is known. In case where \(C\) is non-hyperelliptic, a method is given for the computation of equations of the twists by studying the action of the Galois group of a certain extension of the field of definition of \(C\), in the vector space of regular differentials \(\Omega^1(C)\). As the method of solution of Galois embedding problem over a finite field is known, the above method in this case becomes an algorithm. Finally, the method of the paper is illustrated by computing all the twists of the non-hyperelliptic genus 6 curve \(x^7-y^3-1 = 0\) when it is considered to be defined over a number field \(k\) such that \([k(\zeta_{21}):k]= 12\).