The equivariant Euler characteristic of moduli spaces of curves (Q2445389)

Let \(\mathcal M_{g,n}\) be the moduli space of smooth genus \(g\) curves with \(n\) ordered marked points. The symmetric group \(S_n\) acts naturally on \(\mathcal M_{g,n}\) by permuting the marked points. The main result of the paper is a formula of the generating function of the \(S_n\) equivariant Euler characteristics of \(\mathcal M_{g,n}\). The author first derives a formula of the equivariant Euler characteristics of a configuration space with a finite group action, and then uses it to prove the main result. The coefficients involved in the main formula correspond to the orbifold Euler characteristics of moduli spaces of curves with a specific type of automorphism. These Euler characteristics are computed using a result of \textit{J. Harer} and \textit{D. Zagier} [Invent. Math. 85, 457--485 (1986; Zbl 0616.14017)].