Secant varieties and Hirschowitz bound on vector bundles over a curve (Q604238)

Let \(X\) be a smooth algebraic curve of genus \(g\geq 2\) over \(\mathbb C\). For a vector bundle \(V\) of rank \(n\) over \(X\) and for each integer \(r\), \(1\leq r < n-1\) the \(r\)-th Segre invariant \(s_r\) is defined by generalizing the minimal self-intersection number of the sections on appropriate ruled variety. The authors give the generalisation of Lange and Narasimhan's results on rank 2 bundles which relate the invariant \(s_1\) to the secant varieties of the curve inside certain extension spaces. For any \(n\) and \(r\) the information on the invariant \(s_r\) is derived analysing secant varieties of certain subvariety of a scroll over \(X\). The work uses and develops the ideas from \textit{G. H. Hitching} [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 75, No. 1, 255--272 (2007; Zbl 1121.14027)] adapting them for the case of higher genus and higher secant varieties. In this way a new proof of the Hirschowitz bound for \(s_r\) is obtained.