On the \(S_n\)-equivariant Euler characteristic of moduli spaces of hyperelliptic curves (Q730676)

Let \(X\) denote a complex quasi-projective variety (or, more in general, an algebraic stack) with an action of the symmetric group \(S_n\). The \(S_n\)-equivariant Euler characteristic \(\chi^{S_n}(X)\) generalizes the usual topological Euler characteristics of \(X\) by encoding also information on the structure of \(S_n\)-representations of the cohomology groups of \(X\). The paper under review gives an explicit formula for the generating function \(\sum_n t^n\chi^{S_n}({\mathcal H}_{g,n})\) of the \(S_n\)-equivariant Euler characteristics of the moduli space \({\mathcal H}_{g,n}\) of genus \(g\) hyperelliptic curves with \(n\) marked points, for all genera \(g\geq 2\). This generalizes previously known results. In particular, for genus \(g=2,3\), this generating function is equivalent to the results on the Euler characteristic of local systems on the moduli space of hyperelliptic curves in [\textit{E. Getzler}, Compos. Math. 132, No. 2, 121--135 (2002; Zbl 1055.14027)] and [\textit{G. Bini, G. van der Geer}, Math. Ann. 332, No. 2, 367--379 (2005; Zbl 1077.14036)]. Furthermore, the Euler characteristic of \({\mathcal H}_{g,n}\) has been computed in [\textit{G. Bini}, Topology Appl. 155, No. 2, 121--126 (2007; Zbl 1133.14031)] and \(\chi^{S_n}({\mathcal H}_{g,n})\) is known for \(n\geq 7\) and all \(g\) as a consequence of the results in [\textit{J. Bergström}, Doc. Math., J. DMV 14, 259--296 (2009; Zbl 1211.14030)]. The strategy of the proof is as follows. First, the forgetful map \({\mathcal H}_{g,n}\rightarrow{\mathcal H}_g\) is used to obtain a formula for the generating function of \(\chi^{S_n}({\mathcal H}_{g,n})\) in terms of the Euler characteristics of the strata \(\Xi_G\) of the \({\mathcal H}_g\) of curves with automorphism group \(G\). This relies on Getzler's formula for the \(S_n\)-equivariant Euler characteristic of configuration spaces. Automorphisms of hyperelliptic curves are divided into classes according to the number of fixed points and to the order of the induced automorphism on \({\mathbb P}^1\). The contribution of each class of automorphisms is then computed explici tly using the relation with the induced automorphism on \({\mathbb P}^1\). In the appendices, compatibility of the new formula with Bini's formula for the (non-equivariant) Euler characteristic of \({\mathcal H}_{g,n}\) and Bergström's results for \(n\leq 4\) is checked.