Seminar | Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Time:14:30-15:30, April 16, Tuesday
Location:Room 302, Library
Speaker: Adrian Zahariuc, University of California, Davis
Abstract: Severi varieties are roughly parameter spaces for algebraic plane curves of fixed degree and geometric genus. More generally, we can use the same term to describe parameter spaces for curves of a given homology class and geometric genus on any projective surface. After an elementary introduction to the study of these classical geometric objects, I will discuss the (open, with some notable exceptions) problem of determining their irreducible components. The talk will presume little to no background in algebraic geometry.