Generation of vector bundles computing Clifford indices (Q5962097)

Clifford indices \(\gamma_{n}\) and \(\gamma_{n}^{'}\) for semistable vector bundles of rank \(n\) on a smooth projective curve of genus \(g\geq4\) were defined in a previous paper [in: Affine Flag Manifolds and Principal Bundles. Trends in Mathematics. Basel: Birkhäuser. (2010; Zbl 1193.14003)]. One says that a bundle \(E\) \textit{contributes} to \(\gamma_{n}\) if it is semistable of rank \(n\) with \(\mu(E)\leq g-1\) and \(h^{0}(E)\geq n+1\) and that \(E\) \textit{computes} \(\gamma_{n}\) if in addition \(\gamma(E)=\gamma_{n}\). Similar definitions are given for \(\gamma_{n}^{'}\). A bundle \(E\) for which \(E\) and \(E^{*}\otimes K\) are both generated (spanned) is called \textit{primitive}. In this paper, the authors prove: Theorem 2.4. Suppose \(\gamma_{r}^{'}\geq\gamma_{n}^{'}\) for all \(r\leq n\). If \(E\) is a semistable bundle computing \(\gamma_{n}^{'}\), then \(E\) is primitive. Theorem 2.5. Suppose \(\gamma_{r}\geq\gamma_{n}\) for all \(r\leq n\). If \(E\) is a semistable bundle computing \(\gamma_{n}\), then \(E\) is primitive. Finally, they prove that any semistable bundle of rank 3 computing \(\gamma_{3}^{'}\) or \(\gamma_{3}\) is generically generated.