For an integral curve on a smooth projective surface, . Apply Riemann–Roch theorem for algebraic surfaces to the divisor restriction exact sequence to derive it. This arithmetic version applies also to singular curves and in arbitrary characteristic.
Blowup invariance of plurigenera 2026-10-05
For a point blowup of a smooth algebraic surface , where is a smooth projective surface over an algebraically closed field, multiplication by the exceptional section to power identifies with . Every effective pluricanonical representative must contain , since after subtracting copies its intersection with is . The projection formula for sheaves and identify the remaining sections with those on . No effectivity of itself is assumed.
Castelnuovo contraction criterion 2026-10-05
A smooth rational curve with self-intersection on a smooth projective surface over an algebraically closed field contracts to a smooth point of another smooth projective surface. The contraction is a birational morphism and an isomorphism off the curve, with inverse a blowup of a smooth algebraic surface. This algebraic criterion is valid in arbitrary characteristic and should not be confused with Castelnuovo's rationality criterion.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 134 2 iv c Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
The Castelnuovo contraction criterion says that a smooth rational curve on a smooth projective surface with can be contracted by a birational morphism to a smooth point of a smooth projective surface. The contraction is an isomorphism away from , and its inverse is the blowup of a smooth algebraic surface at that point. This is the algebraic contraction criterion, valid over the algebraically closed field here; it is not the rationality criterion bearing Castelnuovo's name.
By (b), every satisfies the hypothesis. Therefore the required morphism exists:The PDF calls a birational map; the conclusion is stronger, since this map is everywhere defined and is a birational morphism.
A smooth rational curve with on a smooth projective surface is semiample and has Iitaka dimension one. Its normal bundle is trivial, so the restriction sequences for have quotient and zero quotient . The finite dimensions of decrease and stabilize. Restriction of sections to is then surjective; a lift of and the canonical section generate globally. Exactness also gives eventually.
Smooth projective surface 2026-10-05
A smooth projective surface is a two-dimensional smooth variety admitting a closed embedding in projective space. Its integral curves are Cartier divisors, and their intersections, arithmetic adjunction and point blowups control its birational geometry.