The separating gonality of a separating real curve

Algebraic functions and function fields in algebraic geometry (14H05) Special divisors on curves (gonality, Brill-Noether theory) (14H51) Real algebraic and real-analytic geometry (14P99)

Abstract: A smooth real curve is called separating in case the complement of the real locus inside the complex locus is disconnected. This is the case if there exists a morphism to the projective line whose inverse image of the real locus of the projective line is the real locus of the curve. Such morphism is called a separating morphism. The minimal degree of a separating morphism is called the separating gonality. The separating gonality cannot be less than the number s of the connected components of the real locus of the curve. A theorem of Ahlfors implies this separating gonality is at most the g+1 with g the genus of the curve. A better upper bound depending on s is proved by Gabard. In this paper we prove that there are no more restrictions on the values of the separating gonality.

Review text

Let \(X\) be a smooth real curve of genus \(g\) and \(X(\mathbb{R})\) be the set of real points in \(X\). The set \(X(\mathbb{C})\setminus X(\mathbb{R})\) is either connected or has two connected components. In the later case, we say \(X\) is a separating real curve. Let \(s=s(X)\) be the number of connected components of \(X(\mathbb{R})\). If \(X\) is separating then \(1\leq s\leq g+1\) and \(s\equiv g+1\) (mod 2). For each integer \(s\) satisfying the above condition, there exists a real curve \(X\) with \(s(X)=s\). In case there exists a morphism \(X\rightarrow\mathbb{P}^1\) such that \(X(\mathbb{R})=f^{-1}(\mathbb{P}^1(\mathbb{R}))\), then \(X\) is separating and such a morphism is called a separating morphism. The separating gonality of a separating real curve \(X\) is defined to be the minimal degree of a separating morphism from \(X\) to \(\mathbb{P}^1\). It was proved by [Comment. Math. Helv. 81, No. 4, 945--964 (2006; Zbl 1112.14066)] that if \(X\) is separating, then the separating gonality of \(X\) is between \(s\) and \(\frac{g+s+1}{2}\). The author of this paper proves that indeed all values between \(s\) and \(\frac{g+s+1}{2}\) do occur. More precisely, for any \(g\geq2\), \(1\leq s\leq g+1\) with \(s\equiv g+1\)(mod 2) and \(k\) between \(\max\{2,s\}\) and \(\frac{g+s+1}{2}\), there exists a separating real curve \(X\) of genus \(g\) and \(s(X)=s\) with separating gonality equal to \(k\).

Recommendations

Cites work

Cited in

(11)

This page was built for publication: The separating gonality of a separating real curve

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q1945802)