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The singular-curve adjunction formula in a symplectic manifold of real dimension four gives $c_1(A)=A^2+2-2\delta$ for a simple J-holomorphic sphere, with a nonnegative singularity count $\delta$. Hence the displayed inequality holds. This is the version needed when the sphere need not be embedded.

For a regular nonconstant J-holomorphic sphere in a $2n$-dimensional target, the parametrized Fredholm index is $2n+2c_1(A)$. Removing the six-dimensional Möbius transformation reparametrization group gives the displayed local moduli dimension. The quotient is a manifold for a simple J-holomorphic sphere and may be an orbifold for a multiple cover with finite stabilizer. In dimension four the formula is $2c_1(A)-2$.

For a residual set of smooth compatible almost complex structures, all simple J-holomorphic spheres in a specified countable set of spherical classes are regular. The corresponding evaluation maps at marked points are transverse to generic incidence conditions; generic paths give parameterized transversality. The universal linearization can vary the target structure near an injective point of the curve, which removes its cokernel. This assertion concerns simple curves and does not ensure regularity of arbitrary multiple covers.

If every nonconstant J-holomorphic sphere under consideration is regular, no such sphere in a four-dimensional target has class $A$ with $A^2\le -2$. For a simple J-holomorphic sphere, the adjunction inequality for a simple J-holomorphic sphere makes the predicted moduli dimension negative. A degree-$m$ multiple cover of class $B$ has $B^2\le -1$ and $c_1(B)\le 1$, so its predicted real dimension is at most $2m-2$. The rational covering maps of the projective line already form a family of dimension $4m-4>2m-2$, contradicting regularity. The full regularity hypothesis matters: multiple covers of exceptional minus-one spheres violate the conclusion under a simple-only regularity assumption.

An almost complex structure $J$ is compatible with $\omega$ if $J^2=-I$, $\omega (Ju,Jv)=\omega (u,v)$, and $g_J(u,v)=\omega (u,Jv)$ is a positive-definite inner product. To construct one, choose a Riemannian metric $h$ and define $A$ by $h(Au,v)=\omega (u,v)$. The map $A$ is invertible and skew-adjoint, so $-A^2$ is positive definite. Its positive square root $P=(-A^2{)}^{1/2}$ commutes with $A$, andThe same identities show that $J$ preserves $\omega$. The positive square root depends smoothly on $A$, giving a smooth compatible almost complex structure.

For a compatible $J$, applying this metric construction of a compatible almost complex structure to $g_J$ returns $J$. Given $J_0,J_1$, apply it to $(1-t)g_{J_0}+t{g}_{J_1}$ to obtain a path joining them. In fact interpolation to any fixed auxiliary metric gives a contraction. Thus the space is nonempty and connected, and even contractible, by contractibility of compatible almost complex structures.

Regularity of a J-holomorphic curve $u$ means that its linearized Cauchy–Riemann operator $D_u$ is surjective. Differentiating in coordinates givesup to the harmless factor $1/2$ in the convention for ${\bar{\partial }}_J$. For constant $u$, the last term vanishes, $J(u)$ is constant, and the pulled-back tangent bundle is ${\mathbb{CP}}^1\times T_{u}M$. Identifying $T_{u}M$ with ${\mathbb{C}}^n$, this is a direct sum of $n$ copies of the Dolbeault operator on the trivial line bundle. Its cokernel is $H^{0,1}({\mathbb{CP}}^1,\mathcal{O})=0$, by Dolbeault cohomology of the projective line. Hence constant maps are regular for every compatible $J$.

The Energy identity for a J-holomorphic curve says that the energy is ${\int }_{{\mathbb{CP}}^1}{u}^{\ast }\omega$. If the homology class is zero, this integral is zero, forcing $du=0$. Thus every zero-class sphere is constant and regular.

In real dimension four, the Fredholm index of the parametrized sphere operator is $4+2c_1(A)$. At a regular nonconstant sphere, quotienting by the six-dimensional Möbius transformation group gives a local moduli space, or an orbifold for finite stabilizers, of real dimensionThis is the dimension formula for regular J-holomorphic spheres.

For a simple J-holomorphic sphere in class $A$, the adjunction inequality for a simple J-holomorphic sphere gives $c_1(A)\le A^2+2$. If $A^2\le -2$, the displayed moduli dimension is negative, so such a regular simple J-holomorphic sphere cannot exist. To cover nonsimple maps as well, interpret regularity here as regularity for all nonconstant maps under discussion. A degree-$m$ cover, $m\ge 2$, of a simple J-holomorphic sphere in class $B$ has $A=mB$, with $B^2\le -1$ and $c_1(B)\le 1$. Its local family of rational covering maps of the projective line modulo domain reparametrization has real dimension $4m-4$, while the predicted dimension isIt therefore cannot be regular. This proves there are no regular spheres in a class with square at most minus two, by negative-square exclusion under full sphere regularity. Regularity only for simple curves would not suffice: multiple covers of an exceptional minus-one sphere are the counterexample.