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A degree-zero complex analytic divisor $E$ on a compact Riemann surface is principal exactly when its Abel-Jacobi map of a compact Riemann surface is zero. Normalize a differential of the third kind with residues equal to the coefficients of $E$. The Riemann bilinear relations for a compact surface express its $b$-periods as $2\pi i$ times the Abel integrals. If those integrals are in the period lattice, subtract a suitable integral multiple of the normalized holomorphic differential forms; all periods then lie in $2\pi i\mathbb{Z}$, so exponentiation gives the required meromorphic function. Conversely, the logarithmic differential of a meromorphic function has integer residues and periods in $2\pi i\mathbb{Z}$, giving a zero Abel class by the same calculation.

Fix $p_0\in X$ and use the normalized holomorphic one-forms and period lattice of Solution 1. The Abel-Jacobi map of a compact Riemann surface isChanging paths changes the vector by a period, so this is well defined and holomorphic. Adding these vectors gives a symmetric map on $X^d$ and therefore the Abelian sum map $u_d:X^{(d)}\to \mathrm{Jac}(X)$. Locally, even where points coincide, symmetric holomorphic functions descend to the elementary symmetric coordinates of the symmetric product of a curve. For any divisor $D={\sum }_p{n}_{p}p$ of degree zero, define $u(D)={\sum }_p{n}_{p}u(p)$. Abel's theorem says that $D$ is a principal divisor if and only if $u(D)=0$. Equivalently, two effective divisors of the same degree have the same Abel sum exactly when they are linearly equivalent.

We first establish the residue version of the bilinear identity. Let $\eta$ be a meromorphic differential on a Riemann surface with only simple poles and total residue zero, and let $F={\int }_{p_0}^p\omega$ on the cut polygon, for a holomorphic one-form $\omega$. Excise small disks about the poles. Since $d(F\eta )=\omega \wedge \eta =0$ off the poles, the outer boundary integral is the sum of the positive small-circle integrals. The latter are $2\pi i{\mathrm{res}}_p(\eta )F(p)$. Pairing the outer edges as in Solution 1 therefore givesThe paths and the cut polygon are fixed together in this equality. Changing them changes the Abel vector by its period lattice, which is precisely the ambiguity we need.

For the sufficiency direction, we need a differential of the third kind with prescribed residues $n_p$. Let $S$ be the reduced support of $D$, consisting of $s$ points. When $s>0$, the Riemann-Roch theorem gives $h^0(K_X(S))=g-1+s$. The residue map from this space has kernel $H^0(K_X)$, of dimension $g$: a differential with at most a simple pole and residue zero has no pole. Its image therefore has dimension $s-1$. The residue theorem puts the image inside the $s-1$ dimensional space of tuples with sum zero, so it is all that space. In particular there is a meromorphic differential on a Riemann surface $\eta$ with residues $n_p$. Subtracting a combination of the normalized holomorphic one-forms makes all its $a$-periods zero. The bilinear identity then sayswhere on the right we temporarily choose the representative determined by the paths. If $D=0$, we simply take $\eta =0$.

Suppose now that $u(D)=0$ in the Jacobian variety, so the chosen vector is $m+Bn$, with $m,n\in {\mathbb{Z}}^g$. Replace $\eta$ byIts $a$-periods are $-2\pi i{n}_j$ and its $b$-periods are $2\pi i{m}_i$. The periods around the punctures are $2\pi i{n}_p$. These loops together generate the homology of the punctured Riemann surface, so every period of ${\eta }^{\prime }$ lies in $2\pi i\mathbb{Z}$. Consequently $f(p)=\exp ({\int }^p{\eta }^{\prime })$ is a single-valued nonzero holomorphic function off the support of $D$. At a support point, ${\eta }^{\prime }=n_{p}dt/t+$ a holomorphic differential, so $f=t^{n_p}$ times a nonvanishing holomorphic function. It extends meromorphically and has divisor exactly $D$. This proves sufficiency, including negative coefficients.

Conversely, if $D=\mathrm{div}(f)$, take $\eta =df/f$. Its residues are the coefficients of $D$, while its $a$- and $b$-periods are integer multiples of $2\pi i$, by the winding numbers of $f$ along these loops. Writing them as $2\pi ia$ and $2\pi ib$, the residue bilinear identity gives $u(D)=b-Ba\in \Lambda$. Thus $u(D)=0$ in the Jacobian variety, proving necessity and henceHere the displayed necessity of degree zero is also the residue theorem applied to $df/f$.

There is a useful geometric version of the conclusion. For an effective divisor $D$, the fiber of $u_d$ through $D$ consists precisely of the effective divisors linearly equivalent to $D$. A nonzero section of ${\mathcal{O}}_X(D)$ is a meromorphic function $f$ with $\mathrm{div}(f)+D\ge 0$, and its zero divisor as a section is $\mathrm{div}(f)+D$. Two such sections give the same effective divisor exactly when their ratio is a nonzero constant. Thus the fiber is the complete linear system of a divisor $|D|=\mathbb{P}{H}^0(X,{\mathcal{O}}_X(D))$.

Fix $p_0\in X$ on a connected compact Riemann surface, and construct its Jacobian variety by periods as in the first solution. For a divisor on an algebraic curve $E={\sum }_p{n}_{p}p$ of degree zero, defineChanging the paths adds a period lattice element; changing $p_0$ adds a common integral multiplied by $\sum n_p=0$. The Abel theorem for divisors saysEquivalently, effective divisors on an algebraic curve of the same degree have the same Abelian sum exactly when they are equivalent under linear equivalence of divisors.

We need a meromorphic version of the Riemann bilinear relations. Let $\eta$ be a differential of the third kind, with residues $n_p$ at its simple poles, and let $\omega$ be a holomorphic differential form. Choose representatives of the cycles and paths avoiding the poles in the same cut polygon, and let $F(p)={\int }_{p_0}^p\omega$ there. ThenHere the equality is an equality of the chosen complex numbers, before taking any quotient. To prove it, remove small disks about the poles. Since $d(F\eta )=\omega \wedge \eta =0$ on the remaining polygon, its boundary integral is zero. Pairing opposite outer edges gives the left side, just as in the first solution. The clockwise boundary about $p$ contributes $-2\pi i{n}_{p}F(p)$ by the residue theorem. Moving these terms to the other side proves the formula and its sign.

Such an $\eta$ exists whenever $\sum n_p=0$. Here is the required existence argument. Let $S$ be the reduced support of $E$, and considerLocally the last map takes $cdz/z$ to $c$. By Serre duality, the obstruction in $H^1(K_X)\cong \mathbb{C}$ is dual to restriction of constant functions, so it is the sum of the residues. Thus the kernel of this sum is exactly the image of global meromorphic differentials. Alternatively, the Riemann-Roch theorem gives $h^0(K_X(S))-h^0(K_X)=|S|-1$, and the residue theorem identifies that image with the same codimension-one subspace. Subtracting a linear combination of the normalized holomorphic differential forms makes $A_i(\eta )=0$ for every $i$.

Suppose now that $\mathrm{AJ}(E)=0$. Let $u_i={\sum }_p{n}_p{\int }_{p_0}^p{\omega }_i$ with the paths used above. There are integer columns $m,n$ such that $u=m+\tau n$. The normalized meromorphic bilinear formula gives $B_i(\eta )=2\pi i{u}_i$. Thereforehas $a$-periods $-2\pi i{n}_i$ and $b$-periods $2\pi i{m}_i$. Its integrals around the poles are also in $2\pi i\mathbb{Z}$. These cycles generate the homology of the punctured surface, sois a single-valued, nowhere-zero holomorphic function away from the support of $E$. Near $p$, write ${\eta }^{\prime }=n_{p}dz/z+h(z)dz$. Then $f=z^{n_p}\exp (H(z))$ times a nonzero constant, with $H^{\prime }=h$. It extends meromorphically with order exactly $n_p$. Hence $\mathrm{div}(f)=E$.

Conversely, if $E=\mathrm{div}(f)$, take $\eta =df/f$. It has residues $n_p$ and every period lies in $2\pi i\mathbb{Z}$: continuation of a local logarithm of $f$ changes it by an integral multiple of $2\pi i$. Write $A_i(\eta )=2\pi i{r}_i$ and $B_i(\eta )=2\pi i{s}_i$. Applying the meromorphic bilinear formula to ${\omega }_i$ givesThus $u\in \Lambda$ and $\mathrm{AJ}(E)=0$, completing both directions without assuming the conclusion as a property of the Jacobian variety.

For completeness, the effective degree-$d$ version lives on the symmetric product of a curve $X^{(d)}=X^d/{\mathfrak{S}}_d$. The sum of integrals on $X^d$ is invariant under the finite symmetric group and descends to the Abelian sum map $u_d$. The quotient is locally described by elementary symmetric coordinates, so repeated points are included. The proof above identifies its fibre over $u_d(D)$ withExplicitly, a nonzero global section gives its effective zero divisor, and two sections give the same divisor precisely when their quotient is constant. These maps are holomorphic in local symmetric coordinates. More intrinsically, a family of effective divisors on an algebraic curve in this fixed class determines a line of sections of ${\mathcal{O}}_X(D)$, after locally trivializing any line bundle pulled back from the parameter space. Conversely such a line of sections gives its family of zero divisors on an algebraic curve. These operations are inverse and unaffected by that trivialization, proving the identification with the projective space in families as well as on points.

Finally this description identifies the analytic Jacobian variety with ${\mathrm{Pic}}^0(X)$. Every degree-zero line bundle has a meromorphic section: after twisting by a sufficiently large effective divisor, the Riemann-Roch theorem supplies a nonzero global section. Its divisor represents the original line bundle. The correspondence to the period quotient is well-defined and injective by the theorem. It is surjective because one may choose $g$ distinct points with independent evaluations of holomorphic differential forms; the derivative of the sum of their Abel integrals is then an isomorphism. Hence the subgroup generated by point differences contains an open subset of the connected complex torus, and must be the whole group. Local integration coordinates, or the exponential sequence for ${\mathcal{O}}_X$, give the same holomorphic identification. This justifies the subsequent use of degree-$d$ line bundles as points of a translate of the Jacobian variety.

Let $V=H^0(C,{\Omega }_C^1)$, of complex dimension $g$, and choose a symplectic basis $a_1,\dots ,a_g,b_1,\dots ,b_g$ of $H_1(C,\mathbb{Z})$, with $a_i\cdot b_j={\delta }_{ij}$. Integration gives a homomorphismWe first prove both injectivity and discreteness, rather than treating periods as a lattice by definition.

Cut the compact Riemann surface along this basis to a polygon. For closed one-forms $\omega ,\eta$, choose a primitive $F$ of $\omega$ on the cut polygon and apply Stokes theorem to $d(F\eta )=\omega \wedge \eta$. Pairing its boundary edges records the jumps of $F$ across the cuts and gives the Riemann bilinear relations for a compact surface:If a holomorphic differential form $\omega$ has all $a$-periods zero, take $\eta =\overline{\omega }$. The right side is zero, while in a holomorphic coordinate, for $\omega =f(z)dz$,Its integral is strictly positive unless $\omega =0$. Thus the $a$-period map $V\to {\mathbb{C}}^g$ is injective, hence an isomorphism. Choose a basis ${\omega }_1,\dots ,{\omega }_g$ with ${\int }_{a_j}{\omega }_i={\delta }_{ij}$, and put ${\tau }_{ij}={\int }_{b_j}{\omega }_i$. Applying the same boundary identity to ${\omega }_i,{\omega }_j$, whose wedge product is zero, gives ${\tau }_{ij}={\tau }_{ji}$. Applying it to $\omega =\sum c_i{\omega }_i$ and its conjugate givesHence $\mathrm{Im}\tau$ is positive definite.

In the dual coordinates, $I(\sum m_i{a}_i+n_i{b}_i)=m+\tau n$. The real-linear map $(x,y)\mapsto x+\tau y$ from ${\mathbb{R}}^{2g}$ to ${\mathbb{C}}^g$ is an isomorphism: taking imaginary parts of a zero gives $(\mathrm{Im}\tau )y=0$, then $y=0$ and $x=0$. Its image of ${\mathbb{Z}}^{2g}$ is therefore discrete and cocompact, and no nonzero integral cycle has zero image. Thus

The Abel-Jacobi map of a compact Riemann surface sends an effective complex analytic divisor $D=\sum Q_i$ to ${\sum }_i{\int }_{P_0}^{Q_i}({\omega }_1,\dots ,{\omega }_g)$ modulo $\Lambda$. Changing a path adds an integral period, so the map is well-defined. For two degree-$d$ complex analytic divisors, let $E=D-D^{\prime }={\sum }_P{n}_{P}P$, with $\sum n_P=0$, and putWe prove that $E$ is principal exactly when $v\in \Lambda$, including the construction of a meromorphic function.

First construct a differential of the third kind $\eta$ with residues $n_P$ at the support of $E$ and no other poles. For the reduced support $S$, the residue exact sequence isOn sheaf cohomology, the obstruction to prescribing residues belongs to $H^1(C,K_C)\cong \mathbb{C}$ by Serre duality; its pairing with the constant section of ${\mathcal{O}}_C$ is the sum of residues. This follows directly by integrating the local simple-pole terms around the boundary circles. Thus the obstruction is zero because $\sum n_P=0$, and the required $\eta$ exists. Subtract a linear combination of the normalized holomorphic differential forms so that all its $a$-periods are zero.

Take its poles and the integration paths inside the same cut polygon. Apply the boundary calculation above to a primitive $F_i(P)={\int }_{P_0}^P{\omega }_i$, removing small circles around the poles of $\eta$. Since $d(F_i\eta )=0$ away from the poles, the paired outer edges contribute $B_i(\eta )$, while the small circles contribute $2\pi i{\sum }_P{n}_P{F}_i(P)$ by the residue theorem. ThereforeThe same argument without normalizing $\eta$ gives the useful reciprocity identityThese identities use compatible cuts and paths; the final conclusions are unchanged by integral periods.

Suppose $v=m+\tau n$ with $m,n\in {\mathbb{Z}}^g$. DefineIts $a$-periods are $-2\pi i{n}_i$, and its $b$-periods are $2\pi i{m}_i$. Around a pole its integral is $2\pi i{n}_P$. These cycles generate the first homology group of the punctured surface, so every period of ${\eta }^{\prime }$ belongs to $2\pi i\mathbb{Z}$. Choosing an auxiliary point $Q$ away from the poles, setIt is single-valued away from the poles. Locally ${\eta }^{\prime }=n_{P}dt/t+\text{a holomorphic one-form}$, so $f=t^{n_P}$ times a nonvanishing holomorphic function. It extends meromorphically with $\mathrm{div}(f)=E$. This proves sufficiency and explicitly produces the required principal complex analytic divisor.

Conversely, if $E=\mathrm{div}(f)$, the meromorphic differential $df/f$ has residues $n_P$ and every period in $2\pi i\mathbb{Z}$, since each integral counts the winding number of $f$ about zero. Write its $a$-period vector as $2\pi ia$ and its $b$-period vector as $2\pi ib$, with $a,b\in {\mathbb{Z}}^g$. The reciprocity identity gives $v=b-\tau a\in \Lambda$. Since $E$ has degree zero, changing the base point cancels in its Abel sum; a base point at the support of $E$ causes no problem, because the Abel integrals use holomorphic forms. We have provedThis establishes the Abel theorem for divisors directly from the period and residue calculations.

For a compact Riemann surface with a symplectic basis $a_i,b_i$ of its first homology group, cutting along that basis and integrating a primitive givesfor closed smooth one-forms. For a holomorphic differential form $\omega$ and a differential of the third kind $\eta$, the corresponding boundary calculation givesThe paths and representatives of the cycles are chosen in the same cut surface. Normalized holomorphic differential forms consequently have a symmetric period matrix with positive definite imaginary part.