On Clifford's theorem for rank-3 bundles (Q854552)

Let \(X\) be a smooth irreducible projective curve of genus \(g\geq 2\) over an algebraically closed field of characteristic \(0\). It is known that for semistable vector bundles \(E\) of rank \(n\) and degree \(d\), one has \(h^0(E)\leq \frac{d}{2}+n\) (the result is true over any irreducible curve with dualizing sheaf locally free [\textit{U. N. Bhosle}, Math. Ann. 314, No.~2, 245--263 (1999; Zbl 0979.14003)]). In case \(n=1\), this is the classical Clifford's theorem. For \(1\leq r < n\), let \(S_r(E)= rd- nd_{\max}(E)\) where \(d_{\max}(E)\) denotes the maximum of degrees of subbundles of \(E\) of rank \(r\). For \(n=2\), Cilleruelo and Sols obtained a bound on \(h^0(E)\) dependent on \(s_1(E)\). In this paper, for \(n=3\) the authors find sharper bounds on \(h^0(E)\) dependent on \(s_1(E)\) and \(s_2(E)\). The bounds are shown to be best possible in some cases. Bounds for \(h^0(E)\) are also obtained for non-semistable \(E\).