Maximal subbundles, quot schemes, and curve counting

Abstract: Let

E

be a rank 2, degree

d

vector bundle over a genus

g

curve

C

. The loci of stable pairs on

E

in class

2 [C]

fixed by the scaling action are expressed as products of

Q u o t

schemes. Using virtual localization, the stable pairs invariants of

E

are related to the virtual intersection theory of

Q u o t E

. The latter theory is extensively discussed for an

E

of arbitrary rank; the tautological ring of

Q u o t E

is defined and is computed on the locus parameterizing rank one subsheaves. In case

E

has rank 2,

d

and

g

have opposite parity, and

E

is sufficiently generic, it is known that

E

has exactly

2^{g}

line subbundles of maximal degree. Doubling the zero section along such a subbundle gives a curve in the total space of

E

in class

2 [C]

. We relate this count of maximal subbundles with stable pairs/Donaldson-Thomas theory on the total space of

E

. This endows the residue invariants of

E

with enumerative significance: they actually emph{count} curves in

E

.

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