Algebraic Geometry Seminar
Anand Patel
Harvard University
A Decomposition of Hurwitz Space
Abstract: In this talk we will describe a natural decomposition of the Hurwitz space $\mathcal{H}_{d,g}$ parametrizing simply-branched covers of $\mathbb{P}^1$. By studying the geometry of this decomposition, we will deduce the irreducibility of the Gieseker-Petri locus $\mathcal{GP}^1_{d} \subset \mathcal{M}_{g}$ where $d = \frac{g+2}{2}$. Furthermore, we will explain the role this decomposition plays in establishing upper bounds for slopes of sweeping curves in the $d$-gonal locus.
Wednesday October 3, 2012 at 4:00 PM in SEO 427