The gonality of Riemann surfaces under projections by normal coverings (Q626738)

Let \(X\) denote a compact Riemann surface of genus \(g\geq 2\). \(X\) is said to be \((q,p)\)-gonal where \(q\) is prime if it can be realized as a \(q\)-fold normal covering of a compact Riemann surface of genus \(p\). Suppose that \(X\) is a \((q,p)\)-gonal surface and suppose that \(Y\) is a compact Riemann surface such that there exists an \(N\)-fold normal covering \(X\rightarrow Y\). In the paper under review, the authors consider the gonality of \(Y\). Specifically, under certain numerical conditions, they show that \(Y\) is also \((q,p')\)-gonal for some \(p'\) related to \(p\), \(q\) and \(N\). As a consequence of their results, the authors are able to prove a number of interesting new results regarding hyperelliptic or \((2,0)\)-gonal, elliptic hyperelliptic or \((2,1)\)-gonal and more generally \(p\)-hyperelliptic or \((2,p)\)-gonal surfaces. They are also able to rederive some classical results regarding such surfaces [\textit{C. Maclachlan}, Quart. J. Math. Oxford Ser. (2) 22, 117--123 (1971; Zbl 0208.10101); \textit{H. H. Martens}, Comment. Math. Helv. 52, 557--559 (1977; Zbl 0367.14012)]. There are two main results proved in the paper. The first result shows that when the map \(X\rightarrow Y\) is unramified, if \(X\) has genus \(g\geq 2pq+(q-1)^2\) and \((N,q-1)=1\), then there exists an integer \(\omega\) such that \(Y\) is \((q,p')\)-gonal where \[ p'=1-\frac{\omega (q-1)}{2q} +\frac{p-1}{N}. \] To prove this result, the authors construct a subgroup lattice of Fuchsian groups containing the surface groups of \(X\) and \(Y\), and use this lattice to prove the existence of a Fuchsian group in which the surface group of \(Y\) is normal of index \(q\), and so it follows that \(Y\) is \((q,p')\)-gonal for some \(p'\). The value of \(p'\) is then derived using the Riemann-Hurwitz formula. The second result considers the case where the map \(X\rightarrow Y\) is possibly ramified. Specifically, the authors are able to show that if \(N\) is also prime and \(g'\) is the genus of \(Y\), then under the same conditions as the unramified case, \(Y\) is \((q,p')\)-gonal where \[ p'=1-\frac{g-1}{qN} +\frac{p-1}{N} +\frac{g'-1}{q}. \] The proof of this second result follows a similar argument to the first. The paper is well written.