Topological type of discriminants of some special families

We will describe the topological type of the discriminant curve of the morphism $$(\ell , f)$$ ( ℓ , f ) , where $$\ell $$ ℓ is a smooth curve and f is an irreducible curve (branch) of multiplicity less than five or a branch such that the difference between its Milnor number and Tjurina number is less than 3. We prove that for a branch of these families, the topological type of the discriminant curve is determined by the semigroup, the Zariski invariant and at most two other analytical invariants of the branch.

Splitting types of bundles of logarithmic vector fields along plane curves

We give a formula relating the total Tjurina number and the generic splitting type of the bundle of logarithmic vector fields associated to a reduced plane curve. By using it, we give a characterization of nearly free curves in terms of splitting types. Several applications to free and nearly free arrangements of lines are also given, in particular a proof of a form of Terao’s Conjecture for arrangements having a line with at most four intersection points.

Freeness versus maximal global Tjurina number for plane curves

We give a characterisation of nearly free plane curves in terms of their global Tjurina numbers, similar to the characterisation of free curves as curves with a maximal Tjurina number, given by A. A. du Plessis and C.T.C. Wall. It is also shown that an irreducible plane curve having a 1-dimensional symmetry is nearly free. A new numerical characterisation of free curves and a simple characterisation of nearly free curves in terms of their syzygies conclude this paper.