The wobbly divisors of the moduli space of rank-2 vector bundles

Let X be a smooth projective complex curve of genus g ≥ 2 and let M X (2,Λ) be the moduli space of semi-stable rank-2 vector bundles over X with fixed determinant Λ. We show that the wobbly locus, i.e. the locus of semi-stable vector bundles admitting a non-zero nilpotent Higgs field, is a union of divisors 𝓦 k ⊂ M X (2,Λ). We show that on one wobbly divisor the set of maximal subbundles is degenerate. We also compute the class of the divisors 𝓦 k in the Picard group of M X (2, Λ).

On the Segre invariant for rank two vector bundles on ℙ2

We extend the concept of the Segre invariant to vector bundles on a surface X. For X = ℙ2 we determine what numbers can appear as the Segre invariant of a rank 2 vector bundle with given Chern classes. The irreducibility of strata with fixed Segre invariant is proved and their dimensions are computed. Finally, we present applications to the Brill–Noether Theory for rank 2 vector bundles on ℙ2.

Non-reduced moduli spaces of sheaves on multiple curves

Some coherent sheaves on projective varieties have a non-reduced versal deformation space; for example, this is the case for most unstable rank 2 vector bundles on ℙ2, see [18]. In particular, some moduli spaces of stable sheaves are non-reduced. We consider some sheaves on ribbons (double structures on smooth projective curves): let E be a quasi locally free sheaf of rigid type and let 𝓔 be a flat family of sheaves containing E. We find that 𝓔 is a reduced deformation of E when some canonical family associated to 𝓔 is also flat. We consider also a deformation of the ribbon to reduced projective curves with two components, and find that E can be deformed in two distinct ways to sheaves on the reduced curves. In particular some components M of the moduli spaces of stable sheaves deform to two components of the moduli spaces of sheaves on the reduced curves, and M appears as the “limit” of varieties with two components, whence the non-reduced structure of M.

Limits of the trivial bundle on a curve

We attempt to describe the rank 2 vector bundles on a curve C which are specializations of the trivial bundle. We get a complete classifications when C is Brill-Noether generic, or when it is hyperelliptic; in both cases all limit vector bundles are decomposable. We give examples of indecomposable limit bundles for some special curves. Comment: Final version, published in Epiga