Dualizing sheaf on a smooth projective curve ($D_C\cong {\Omega }_{C/k}^1$)

For vector bundles on a smooth projective curve, a dualizing sheaf is a line bundle $D_C$ with a trace $H^1(C,D_C)\to k$ making the evaluation pairings $H^i(C,E)\times H^{1-i}(C,E^{\vee }\otimes D_C)\to k$ perfect for $i=0,1$. Choose a finite generically separable map to the projective line. The trace-dual module for this finite map, tensored with ${\Omega }_{{\mathbb{P}}^1}^1$, is ${\Omega }_C^1$ by the different–differential identity. Finite pushforward and residue duality on the projective line then prove the pairings, rather than assuming the curve-duality theorem to establish them.

Use the rational principal-parts resolution on an algebraic curve to represent a class by finitely many rational differential principal parts. Sum their algebraic residues of a rational differential. The sum of residues of a global rational differential is zero: trace to the projective line, where partial fractions prove the assertion. Hence the sum descends to cohomology. Pairing an invertible sheaf with its differential-valued dual gives the perfect Serre duality pairing. Since the global regular functions on an integral projective curve over an algebraically closed field are $k$, evaluation at the constant function $1$ identifies this trace canonically with an isomorphism to $k$.