Abstracts of Papers

Kevin R. Coombes


Thesis

[1] Algebraic K-theory and abelianized fundamental groups of curves

In this dissertation, K-theoretic techniques are applied to the study of abelian covers of curves over local fields. Let L/Qp be a finite extension, X a smooth proper curve over L with good reduction. Let V(X) be the kernel of the norm map N : H1(X, K2) -> K1(L). A continuous version Vtop(X) is defined and shown to be the quotient of V(X) by its maximal divisible subgroup. Further, this quotient is isomorphic to the abelianization of the geometric fundamental group \pi1geo(X), which classifies the geometrically irreducible étale covers of X. The key step in the proof is the establishment of a duality between H0(X, OX* / OX*p) and H1(X, K2 / p K2) which generalizes both the norm residue and the ep-pairings. Later chapters lay the groundwork for extending these results to ramified covers by using relative K-theory.

Research Journals

[2] Relative K-theory and vector bundles on certain singular varieties

The principal result of this paper is the theorem: Let C contained in Pn be a projectively normal curve over an algebraically closed field k. Let Y be the affine cone over C. Assume that H1(C, OC(1)) is nonzero. Then Y is not K0-regular. Moreover, when k=C is the field of complex numbers, then the cokernel of K0(Y) -> K0(Y x A1) is uncountably generated.

This theorem provides examples of varieties in characteristic p which have only trivial vector bundles, but whose product with the affine line acquires many non-trivial vector bundles. The techniques of the proof rely heavily on the use of relative K-theory and of relative cycle classes.

[3] Relative algebraic K-theory

This paper contains careful proofs of certain ``folklore'' theorems describing the existence and basic properties of a relative K-theory. The paper was written because of the nice application found in the paper above, and to justify the use of the relative theory there.

[4] A remark on K1 of an algebraic surface

The principal result of this paper is the theorem: Let X be a surface over an algebraically closed field. Suppose that CH2(X) is finite dimensional in the sense of Mumford. Then the cokernel of the cup product map Pic(X) \otimesZ k* -> H1(X, K2) is N-torsion for some integer N. Moreover, if Alb(X) = 0, then there are isomorphisms Kn(k) \otimes Q -> H0(X, Kn) \otimes Q.

One application of this result is that, loosely speaking, any isolated singularity which occurs on a Zariski surface cannot contribute to the Chow group of an arbitrary normal surface.

[5] On SK1 of curves and Kähler differentials

Krusemeyer studied SK1 of singular cubic curves in the affine plane by means of Mennicke symbols and ad hoc maps SK1(C) -> \Omega2k/Z. He asked if these results could be extended to nonsingular cubics. This paper shows

Theorem 1: Let C be a smooth curve contained in a smooth surface S over a field k. Then the image of SK1(C) in K0(S, C) (under the boundary map) is generated by the relative cycle classes of zero cycles on S-C which are relatively rationally equivalent to zero.

Theorem 2: If C is a smooth curve over k, then the logarithmic derivative induces a map

SK1(C) -> H1(C, K2) -> H1(C, \Omega2C/Z).

When C is an affine cubic curve, these theorems imply that SK1(C) is generated by classes of points of the plane which do not lie on C, and that dlog induces a homomorphism SK1(C) -> \Omega2k/Z. This homomorphism can be explicitly computed and is closely related to those of Krusemeyer.

[6] Zero cycles on del Pezzo surfaces over local fields

Let X be a rational surface over a finite extension L/Qp. This paper attempts to compute the group A0(X) of rational equivalence classes of zero cycles of degree zero on X. The first theorem is: If X is a del Pezzo surface of degree d > 4, then A0(X) = 0. Next, a moduli space is constructed for marked, split del Pezzo surfaces of degree 4. Cohomological considerations show that the only interesting surfaces of degree 4 with quadratic splitting fields are Manin's surfaces of Type IV. Using descent theory and the moduli space, explicit equations are given for all Type IV surfaces. Finally, A0(X) is explicitly computed for all Type IV surfaces with unramified splitting field, by algebraic means, in terms of the valuations in L of the coefficients of the equations.

[7] Hurwitz families and arithmetic Galois groups

This paper is concerned with Galois branched covers of the Riemann sphere. In the first section, we consider the moduli problem for such covers, including whether Hurwitz families exist and whether they are universal. In the second section, we turn to arithmetic questions involving fields of definition and of moduli for covers and for Hurwitz families. In the third section, we discuss some techniques for constructing covers with given groups and field of definition, in special cases.

[8] Inversion of abelian integrals on curves of small genus

Let M be a smooth projective curve of genus g > 0. Let J be the Jacobian of M. Fix a base point P in M and define a map fi : M(i) -> J on the ith symmetric product of M by the formula fi(D) = D - iP. If i > 2g - 2, then fi is a Pi-g bundle. The inversion of abelian integrals problem asks: What are the transition functions of this bundle?

This paper presents a solution to this problem in the special cases when g=2 or when g=3 and M is not hyperelliptic. The techniques are very geometric but essentially elementary.

[9] Motifs, L-functions, and the K-cohomology of rational surfaces over finite fields

Let X be a smooth projective surface over a finite field F with q=pr elements. Let Kj,X be the Zariski sheaf associated to U |-> Kj(H0(U, OU)). Let \phij be the Frobenius endomorphism of Hj(X, Ql). Set Pj(X,t) = det(1 - \phijt) and Lj(X,s)=Pj(X, q-s). The principal result of this paper is the theorem: Let X be a rational surface over F and let n > 2. Then, up to pth powers,

L2i(X,n) = # Hi(X, K2n-i-1)

L2i+1(X,n)= # Hi(X, K2n-i-2)

This theorem is a special case of conjectures of Beilinson and Lichtenbaum, simplified by the collapse of a spectral sequence. The techniques rely on showing that the motif of X, constructed from correspondences in the integral Chow theory, depends only on the Galois representation on the Picard group. The K-theory is then computed explicitly in terms of the representation.

[10] On the K-theory of curves over finite fields

The principal result of this paper computes the odd-dimensional K-theory of a smooth projective curve over the algebraic closure of a finite field. Two conjectures are then advanced regarding the K-theory of fields, which would generalize known results of Tate and Suslin. One of these conjectures was simultaneously and independently made by Suslin. If these conjectures hold, then it is shown that the K-theory of curves over finite fields can be fully computed and will satisfy the Quillen-Lichtenbaum conjectures.

[11] Every rational surface is separably split

The principal result of this paper is the theorem stated in the title. This resolves a technical problem which was noticed when Bloch introduced K-theory into the study of zero cycles on rational surfaces. In addition, the paper contains the first complete proof of the Adjunction Lemma in the form used by Iskovskih in his classification of rational surfaces over arbitrary fields.

[12] Blood utilization during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

[13] On heterogeneous spaces

This paper presents a new method for finding all the rational points on certain special curves. It contains numerous new examples of curves of genus two and three to which the method is applied.

[14] The arithmetic of zero cycles on surfaces with geometric genus and irregularity zero

[15] Attack priming and aggressive arousal in female Syrian golden hamsters, Mesocritus auratus: Observed attack latency and calculated attack probability as a function of contact time with a conspecific


Referred Conference Proceedings

[16] Local class field theory for curves

This paper is a presentation of the principal results of the author's thesis.

[17] The arithmetic of Enriques surfaces

This paper generalizes results from [?], [?], and [?] to the case of Enriques surfaces. Minimal models of Enriques surfaces over arbitrary fields are discussed. The K-theory of an Enriques surface over a finite field is computed up to 2- and p-torsion. Finally, the group of zero cycles of degree zero, modulo rational equivalence, on an Enriques surface with good reduction over a local field is computed, and this result is used to show that the corresponding group on an Enriques surface over a global field must be finite.


Preprints

[21] Zero cycles and integral differentials of the third kind

The first result of this paper uses the Beilinson-Gillet spectral sequence in Deligne cohomology to describe the group of Albanese-trivial zero cycles on any smooth projective variety, generalizing a result of Gillet. The paper then explores the relations between zero cycles and integral differentials of the third kind, leading to a new description of the group of zero cycles.

[22] Elliptic curves and logarithmic derivatives


Work in Progress

[24] The homology of certain regular algebras arising from elliptic curves

[25] On the geometry of surfaces defined over a number field

[26] Linear interpolation of galois branched covers


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Disclaimer: This page was last updated on 1 March 1997. It is entirely possible that the information contained herein no longer has any connection with reality (assuming it ever did). Feel free to send constructive comments or inane criticisms to:
Kevin Coombes
Department of Mathematics
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742