Algebraic series of divisors on a curve and on a surface (Q798382)

This paper is concerned with some aspects of the theory of algebraic systems of effective divisors on a non singular curve and of one dimensional systems of curves on a smooth surface. In the case of curves, defined over an algebraically closed field, a short proof is given of a remarkable result due to Allen, which extends to non-linear systems of effective divisors the well known formula of De Jonquières. As an application of Allen's theorem a criterion of linear equivalence by Castelnuovo and Torelli is derived; this, in turn, implies a well known inequality by Castelnuovo and Severi concerning correspondences on a curve. Turning to surfaces and assuming the base field of characteristic zero, a formula is proved, giving a bound for the number of curves in a one dimensional system of generically smooth curves having a singular point. This bound was already given, but with incomplete proof, by Torelli. From this result a criterion of linear equivalence, analogous to the aforementioned one of Castelnuovo and Torelli for curves, is deduced.