Local invariants attached to Weierstrass points

Arithmetic varieties and schemes; Arakelov theory; heights (14G40) Families, moduli of curves (algebraic) (14H10) Riemann surfaces; Weierstrass points; gap sequences (14H55)

Abstract: Let X/S be a hyperelliptic curve of genus g over the spectrum of a discrete valuation ring. Two fundamental numerical invariants are attached to X/S: the valuation of the hyperelliptic discriminant of X/S, and the valuation of the Mumford discriminant of X/S (equivalently, the Artin conductor). For a residue field of characteristic 0 as well as for X/S semistable these invariants are known to satisfy certain inequalities. We prove an exact formula relating the two invariants with intersection theoretic data determined by the distribution of Weierstrass points over the special fiber, in the semistable case. We also prove an exact formula for the stable Faltings height of an arbitrary curve over a number field, involving local contributions associated to its Weierstrass points.

Review text

Let \(R\) be a discrete valuation ring with perfect residue field \(k\) and fraction field \(K\). Let \(C\) be a smooth proper geometrically connected curve of genus \(g\geq1\) over \(K\), let \(\rho: X\to S\) be the minimal regular model of \(C\) over \(S=\text{Spec} R\), and let \(\omega_{X/S}\) be the relative dualizing sheaf. The Mumford isomorphism gives (up to sign) a canonical rational section \(\Delta\) of \[ (\det\rho_{*}\omega_{X/S})^{\otimes 13} \otimes\det\rho_{*}(\omega_{X/S}^{\otimes 2})^{\otimes-1}\;. \] The valuation \(\delta_{X/S}=\text{ord}_v\Delta\) of \(\Delta\) is a basic numerical invariant of \(X/S\). Assume in addition that \(C\) is elliptic or hyperelliptic. Then \(C\) has a \textit{hyperelliptic discriminant} \(\Lambda\in H^0(S,(\det\rho_{*}\omega_{X/S})^{\otimes(8g+4)})\), and another invariant \(d_{X/S}=\text{ord}_v\Lambda\). Both \(\delta_{X/S}\) and \(d_{X/S}\) are zero if \(X/S\) is smooth. The aim of this paper is to prove an exact formula, valid in arbitrary genus, relating \(\delta_{X/S}\) and \(d_{X/S}\) to intersection-theoretic data associated to the Weierstrass points over the special fiber of \(X/S\). At present, however, the author only has a result when \(C\) is semistable, because the method requires assuming that all Weierstrass points on the generic fiber are rational. The main theorem of the paper relies on the following additional notation. For a section \(P\) of \(X/S\), let \(\Phi_P\) denote the vertical \(\mathbb Q\)-divisor on \(X\) uniquely determined by the conditions that \(P^{*}\Phi_P\) is the trivial divisor on \(S\) and the divisor \((2g-2)P-\omega_{X/S}+\Phi_P\) is numerically trivial on each component of the geometric special fiber of \(X/S\). Also let \(F\) be the closure in \(X\) of the Weierstrass points on \(C\), and let \(E\) be the vertical part of the divisor of the Wronskian of an \(R\)-basis of \(H^0(X,\omega_{X/S})\). Then the main theorem of the paper is as follows. Theorem. Assume furthermore that \(2\) is nonzero in \(R\), that \(g\geq 2\), that \(X/S\) has semistable reduction, and that all Weierstrass points of \(C\) are rational over \(K\). Then \[ (3g-1)d_{X/S} = -\frac12\sum_{P\in F}\Phi_P^2 + (2g-1)(g+1)\delta_{X/S} + 4(E,\omega_{X/S})\;. \] A global version of this result follows as a corollary. In addition, some of the paper's statements about Wronskians and Weierstrass points in families carry over to the more general context of an arbitrary semistable curve over a Dedekind scheme. This leads to a closed formula for the stable Faltings height of a curve over a number field, and also a lower bound for the self-intersection \((\omega_{X/S}^2)\).

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