The Frobenius action on rank 2 vector bundles over curves in small genus and small characteristic (Q734608)

Let \(X\) be a smooth projective curve of genus 2 or 3 over an algebraically closed field of characteristic \(p> 0\) and denote by \(F: X\to X_1\) the relative Frobenius map. Let \(S_X\) and \(S_{X_1}\) denote the coarse moduli space of semistable rank-2 vector bundles on \(X\) and \(X_1\). Finally, let \(\Theta\) and \(\Theta_1\) denote the Theta divisors on the Jacobians of \(X\) and \(X_1\). Narasimhan and Ramanan showed that \(S_X\) is isomorphic to \(|2\Theta|\) in genus 2 and can be identified with the Coble quartic in \(|2\Theta|\) in the non-hyperelliptc genus-3 case. The map \(V: S){X_1}\to S_X\), defined by \(E\mapsto F^* E\), is called the (generalized) Verschiebung. \textit{Y. Laszlo} and \textit{C. Pauly} showed [Adv. Math. 185, No. 2, 246--269 (2004; Zbl 1055.14038)] that \(V\) is defined by polynomials in some cases. The present paper investigates the map \(V\) further. The main result is the following theorem: For \(p= 3,5\) or \(7\) and \(X\) general of genus 2 or 3 there is a rational map \(V:|2\Theta_1|\to |2\Theta|\) extending \(V\) which is completely determined by its restriction to the \(\tau_1\)-invariant locus of \(|2\Theta_1|\), where \(\tau_1\) ranges over the non zero 2-torsion points of \(J(X_1)\). The proof uses representations of Heisenberg groups. This is used to compute explicit equations for the map \(V\) in these cases, which allows to draw some geometric consequences. about the base locus of the map \(V\).