Skip to main content
added 6 characters in body
Source Link
Sean Lawton
  • 8.5k
  • 3
  • 46
  • 78

Disclaimer: This answer is rewritten in response to Chris Woodward's insightful comments.

The moduli space of rank 2 semistable holomorphic vector bundles with trivial determinant on a genus 2 surface $\Sigma$ is homeomorphic to the character variety $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2)):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SU(2))/SU(2).$$ This homeomorphism restricts to a diffeomorphism between stable bundles and irreducible representations.

In the case of fixed determinant Higgs bundles on $\Sigma$ there is a similar homeomorphic correspondence with $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C})):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SL(2,\mathbb{C}))/\!/SL(2, \mathbb{C}).$$ Carlos Simpson has shown under this latter correspondence all points, even singular points, have isomorphic corresponding étale neighborhoods (Isosingularity Theorem). In short, they are locally isomorphic. However, it is known these moduli spaces are not even biholomorphic let alone biregular, since the complex structure of the Higgs moduli space depends on the complex structure of $\Sigma$ as a Riemann surface whereas the complex structure on the character variety only depends on the group $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$.

The moduli space of holomorphic vector bundles naturally embeds into the moduli space of Higgs bundles as those with trivial Higgs field. Likewise, $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ embeds into $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C}))$, and the homeomorphisms above respect these embeddings.

So it is natural to think that the stratified analytic smooth structures on the moduli space of vector bundles and that of the semi-algebraic space $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ also correspond; as they do generically and also do on their "complexifications". However, as pointed out by Chris Woodward, Johannes Huebschmann proves in Smooth Structures on Certain Moduli Spaces for Bundles on a Surface that this is not the case. In particular, in Section 8 he explicitly addresses the case of a genus 2 surface where the moduli spaces in question are homeomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$, showing explicitly that the natural smooth structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ differs from that of $\mathbb{C}P^3$.

That is sufficient to answer the original question as: NO, if one interprets the question as "Is $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ Kähler isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$?"

Remark: With regard to the (singular) symplectic structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$. The Goldman Poisson structure, a Lie algebra structure and derivation, is defined globally on the coordiante ring of the character variety and makes sense even in a singular setting. In general, such a Poisson structure gives a foliation of the smooth locus by symplectic sub-manifolds. In this case there is one leaf (since the surface in question is closed).

Remark: For a direct proof, not using the theory of holomorphic bundles, that the character variety is $\mathbb{C}P^3$ see here. We can see the singularities directly in Choi's construction.

Disclaimer: This answer is rewritten in response to Chris Woodward's insightful comments.

The moduli space of rank 2 semistable holomorphic vector bundles with trivial determinant on a genus 2 surface $\Sigma$ is homeomorphic to the character variety $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2)):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SU(2))/SU(2).$$ This homeomorphism restricts to a diffeomorphism between stable bundles and irreducible representations.

In the case of fixed determinant Higgs bundles on $\Sigma$ there is a similar homeomorphic correspondence with $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C})):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SL(2,\mathbb{C}))/\!/SL(2, \mathbb{C}).$$ Carlos Simpson has shown under this latter correspondence all points, even singular points, have isomorphic corresponding étale neighborhoods (Isosingularity Theorem). In short, they are locally isomorphic. However, it is known these moduli spaces are not even biholomorphic let alone biregular, since the complex structure of the Higgs moduli space depends on the complex structure of $\Sigma$ as a Riemann surface whereas the complex structure on the character variety only depends on the $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$.

The moduli space of holomorphic vector bundles naturally embeds into the moduli space of Higgs bundles as those with trivial Higgs field. Likewise, $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ embeds into $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C}))$, and the homeomorphisms above respect these embeddings.

So it is natural to think that the stratified analytic smooth structures on the moduli space of vector bundles and that of the semi-algebraic space $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ also correspond; as they do generically and also do on their "complexifications". However, as pointed out by Chris Woodward, Johannes Huebschmann proves in Smooth Structures on Certain Moduli Spaces for Bundles on a Surface that this is not the case. In particular, in Section 8 he explicitly addresses the case of a genus 2 surface where the moduli spaces in question are homeomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$, showing explicitly that the natural smooth structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ differs from that of $\mathbb{C}P^3$.

That is sufficient to answer the original question as: NO, if one interprets the question as "Is $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ Kähler isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$?"

Remark: With regard to the (singular) symplectic structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$. The Goldman Poisson structure, a Lie algebra structure and derivation, is defined globally on the coordiante ring of the character variety and makes sense even in a singular setting. In general, such a Poisson structure gives a foliation of the smooth locus by symplectic sub-manifolds. In this case there is one leaf (since the surface in question is closed).

Remark: For a direct proof, not using the theory of holomorphic bundles, that the character variety is $\mathbb{C}P^3$ see here. We can see the singularities directly in Choi's construction.

Disclaimer: This answer is rewritten in response to Chris Woodward's insightful comments.

The moduli space of rank 2 semistable holomorphic vector bundles with trivial determinant on a genus 2 surface $\Sigma$ is homeomorphic to the character variety $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2)):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SU(2))/SU(2).$$ This homeomorphism restricts to a diffeomorphism between stable bundles and irreducible representations.

In the case of fixed determinant Higgs bundles on $\Sigma$ there is a similar homeomorphic correspondence with $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C})):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SL(2,\mathbb{C}))/\!/SL(2, \mathbb{C}).$$ Carlos Simpson has shown under this latter correspondence all points, even singular points, have isomorphic corresponding étale neighborhoods (Isosingularity Theorem). In short, they are locally isomorphic. However, it is known these moduli spaces are not even biholomorphic let alone biregular, since the complex structure of the Higgs moduli space depends on the complex structure of $\Sigma$ as a Riemann surface whereas the complex structure on the character variety only depends on the group $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$.

The moduli space of holomorphic vector bundles naturally embeds into the moduli space of Higgs bundles as those with trivial Higgs field. Likewise, $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ embeds into $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C}))$, and the homeomorphisms above respect these embeddings.

So it is natural to think that the stratified analytic smooth structures on the moduli space of vector bundles and that of the semi-algebraic space $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ also correspond; as they do generically and also do on their "complexifications". However, as pointed out by Chris Woodward, Johannes Huebschmann proves in Smooth Structures on Certain Moduli Spaces for Bundles on a Surface that this is not the case. In particular, in Section 8 he explicitly addresses the case of a genus 2 surface where the moduli spaces in question are homeomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$, showing explicitly that the natural smooth structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ differs from that of $\mathbb{C}P^3$.

That is sufficient to answer the original question as: NO, if one interprets the question as "Is $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ Kähler isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$?"

Remark: With regard to the (singular) symplectic structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$. The Goldman Poisson structure, a Lie algebra structure and derivation, is defined globally on the coordiante ring of the character variety and makes sense even in a singular setting. In general, such a Poisson structure gives a foliation of the smooth locus by symplectic sub-manifolds. In this case there is one leaf (since the surface in question is closed).

Remark: For a direct proof, not using the theory of holomorphic bundles, that the character variety is $\mathbb{C}P^3$ see here. We can see the singularities directly in Choi's construction.

Added clarification about the question being answered.
Source Link
Sean Lawton
  • 8.5k
  • 3
  • 46
  • 78

Disclaimer: This answer is rewritten in response to Chris Woodward's insightful comments.

The moduli space of rank 2 semistable holomorphic vector bundles with trivial determinant on a genus 2 surface $\Sigma$ is homeomorphic to the character variety $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2)):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SU(2))/SU(2).$$ This homeomorphism restricts to a diffeomorphism between stable bundles and irreducible representations.

In the case of fixed determinant Higgs bundles on $\Sigma$ there is a similar homeomorphic correspondence with $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C})):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SL(2,\mathbb{C}))/\!/SL(2, \mathbb{C}).$$ Carlos Simpson has shown under this latter correspondence all points, even singular points, have isomorphic corresponding étale neighborhoods (Isosingularity Theorem). In short, they are locally isomorphic. However, it is known these moduli spaces are not even biholomorphic let alone biregular, since the complex structure of the Higgs moduli space depends on the complex structure of $\Sigma$ as a Riemann surface whereas the complex structure on the character variety only depends on the $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$.

The moduli space of holomorphic vector bundles naturally embeds into the moduli space of Higgs bundles as those with trivial Higgs field. Likewise, $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ embeds into $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C}))$, and the homeomorphisms above respect these embeddings.

So it is natural to think that the stratified analytic smooth structures on the moduli space of vector bundles and that of the semi-algebraic space $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ also correspond; as they do generically and also do on their "complexifications". However, as pointed out by Chris Woodward, Johannes Huebschmann proves in Smooth Structures on Certain Moduli Spaces for Bundles on a Surface that this is not the case. In particular, in Section 8 he explicitly addresses the case of a genus 2 surface where the moduli spaces in question are homeomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$, showing explicitly that the natural smooth structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ differs from that of $\mathbb{C}P^3$.

That is sufficient to answer the original question as: NO., if one interprets the question as "Is $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ Kähler isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$?"

Remark: With regard to the (singular) symplectic structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$. The Goldman Poisson structure, a Lie algebra structure and derivation, is defined globally on the coordiante ring of the character variety and makes sense even in a singular setting. In general, such a Poisson structure gives a foliation of the smooth locus by symplectic sub-manifolds. In this case there is one leaf (since the surface in question is closed).

Remark: For a direct proof, not using the theory of holomorphic bundles, that the character variety is $\mathbb{C}P^3$ see here. We can see the singularities directly in Choi's construction.

Disclaimer: This answer is rewritten in response to Chris Woodward's insightful comments.

The moduli space of rank 2 semistable holomorphic vector bundles with trivial determinant on a genus 2 surface $\Sigma$ is homeomorphic to the character variety $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2)):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SU(2))/SU(2).$$ This homeomorphism restricts to a diffeomorphism between stable bundles and irreducible representations.

In the case of fixed determinant Higgs bundles on $\Sigma$ there is a similar homeomorphic correspondence with $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C})):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SL(2,\mathbb{C}))/\!/SL(2, \mathbb{C}).$$ Carlos Simpson has shown under this latter correspondence all points, even singular points, have isomorphic corresponding étale neighborhoods (Isosingularity Theorem). In short, they are locally isomorphic. However, it is known these moduli spaces are not even biholomorphic let alone biregular, since the complex structure of the Higgs moduli space depends on the complex structure of $\Sigma$ as a Riemann surface whereas the complex structure on the character variety only depends on the $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$.

The moduli space of holomorphic vector bundles naturally embeds into the moduli space of Higgs bundles as those with trivial Higgs field. Likewise, $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ embeds into $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C}))$, and the homeomorphisms above respect these embeddings.

So it is natural to think that the stratified analytic smooth structures on the moduli space of vector bundles and that of the semi-algebraic space $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ also correspond; as they do generically and also do on their "complexifications". However, as pointed out by Chris Woodward, Johannes Huebschmann proves in Smooth Structures on Certain Moduli Spaces for Bundles on a Surface that this is not the case. In particular, in Section 8 he explicitly addresses the case of a genus 2 surface where the moduli spaces in question are homeomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$, showing explicitly that the natural smooth structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ differs from that of $\mathbb{C}P^3$.

That is sufficient to answer the original question as: NO.

Remark: With regard to the (singular) symplectic structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$. The Goldman Poisson structure, a Lie algebra structure and derivation, is defined globally on the coordiante ring of the character variety and makes sense even in a singular setting. In general, such a Poisson structure gives a foliation of the smooth locus by symplectic sub-manifolds. In this case there is one leaf (since the surface in question is closed).

Remark: For a direct proof, not using the theory of holomorphic bundles, that the character variety is $\mathbb{C}P^3$ see here. We can see the singularities directly in Choi's construction.

Disclaimer: This answer is rewritten in response to Chris Woodward's insightful comments.

The moduli space of rank 2 semistable holomorphic vector bundles with trivial determinant on a genus 2 surface $\Sigma$ is homeomorphic to the character variety $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2)):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SU(2))/SU(2).$$ This homeomorphism restricts to a diffeomorphism between stable bundles and irreducible representations.

In the case of fixed determinant Higgs bundles on $\Sigma$ there is a similar homeomorphic correspondence with $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C})):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SL(2,\mathbb{C}))/\!/SL(2, \mathbb{C}).$$ Carlos Simpson has shown under this latter correspondence all points, even singular points, have isomorphic corresponding étale neighborhoods (Isosingularity Theorem). In short, they are locally isomorphic. However, it is known these moduli spaces are not even biholomorphic let alone biregular, since the complex structure of the Higgs moduli space depends on the complex structure of $\Sigma$ as a Riemann surface whereas the complex structure on the character variety only depends on the $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$.

The moduli space of holomorphic vector bundles naturally embeds into the moduli space of Higgs bundles as those with trivial Higgs field. Likewise, $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ embeds into $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C}))$, and the homeomorphisms above respect these embeddings.

So it is natural to think that the stratified analytic smooth structures on the moduli space of vector bundles and that of the semi-algebraic space $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ also correspond; as they do generically and also do on their "complexifications". However, as pointed out by Chris Woodward, Johannes Huebschmann proves in Smooth Structures on Certain Moduli Spaces for Bundles on a Surface that this is not the case. In particular, in Section 8 he explicitly addresses the case of a genus 2 surface where the moduli spaces in question are homeomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$, showing explicitly that the natural smooth structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ differs from that of $\mathbb{C}P^3$.

That is sufficient to answer the original question as: NO, if one interprets the question as "Is $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ Kähler isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$?"

Remark: With regard to the (singular) symplectic structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$. The Goldman Poisson structure, a Lie algebra structure and derivation, is defined globally on the coordiante ring of the character variety and makes sense even in a singular setting. In general, such a Poisson structure gives a foliation of the smooth locus by symplectic sub-manifolds. In this case there is one leaf (since the surface in question is closed).

Remark: For a direct proof, not using the theory of holomorphic bundles, that the character variety is $\mathbb{C}P^3$ see here. We can see the singularities directly in Choi's construction.

Rewritten to address a mistake noted in a comment.
Source Link
Sean Lawton
  • 8.5k
  • 3
  • 46
  • 78

This is an old question, and I am not sure if thereDisclaimer: This answer is still interestrewritten in itresponse to Chris Woodward's insightful comments.

However, I think from the point-of-view that theThe moduli space of rank 2 semistable holomorphic vector bundles with trivial determinant on a genus 2 surface $\Sigma$ is diffeomorphichomeomorphic to the character variety $\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SU(2))/SU(2)$$$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2)):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SU(2))/SU(2).$$ This homeomorphism restricts to a diffeomorphism between stable bundles and irreducible representations.

In the answercase of fixed determinant Higgs bundles on $\Sigma$ there is yesa similar homeomorphic correspondence with $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C})):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SL(2,\mathbb{C}))/\!/SL(2, \mathbb{C}).$$ Carlos Simpson has shown under this latter correspondence all points, even singular points, have isomorphic corresponding étale neighborhoods (Isosingularity Theorem). In short, they are locally isomorphic. However, it is known these moduli spaces are not even biholomorphic let alone biregular, since the complex structure of the Higgs moduli space depends on the complex structure of $\Sigma$ as a Riemann surface whereas the complex structure on the character variety only depends on the $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$.

IThe moduli space of holomorphic vector bundles naturally embeds into the moduli space of Higgs bundles as those with trivial Higgs field. Likewise, $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ embeds into $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C}))$, and the homeomorphisms above respect these embeddings.

So it is natural to think that the pointstratified analytic smooth structures on the moduli space of vector bundles and that of the semi-algebraic space $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ also correspond; as they do generically and also do on their "complexifications". However, as pointed out by Chris Woodward, Johannes Huebschmann proves in Smooth Structures on Certain Moduli Spaces for Bundles on a Surface that this is not the case. In particular, in Section 8 he explicitly addresses the case of a genus 2 surface where the moduli spaces in question are homeomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$, showing explicitly that the natural smooth structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ differs from that of $\mathbb{C}P^3$.

That is sufficient to answer the original question as: NO.

Remark: With regard to the (singular) symplectic structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$. The Goldman Poisson structure, a Lie algebra structure and derivation, is defined globally on the coordiante ring of the character variety and makes sense even in a singular setting. In general, such a Poisson structure gives a foliation of the smooth locus by symplectic sub-manifolds. In this case there is one leaf (since the surface in question is closed) and the smooth locus is the whole space since it is $\mathbb{C}P^3$.

Remark: For a direct proof, not using the theory of holomorphic bundles, that the character variety is $\mathbb{C}P^3$ see here. We can see the singularities directly in Choi's construction.

This is an old question, and I am not sure if there is still interest in it.

However, I think from the point-of-view that the moduli space of rank 2 semistable holomorphic vector bundles with trivial determinant on a genus 2 surface $\Sigma$ is diffeomorphic to the character variety $\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SU(2))/SU(2)$ the answer is yes.

I think the point is that the Goldman Poisson structure, a Lie algebra structure and derivation, is defined globally on the coordiante ring of the character variety. In general, such a Poisson structure gives a foliation of the smooth locus by symplectic sub-manifolds. In this case there is one leaf (since the surface in question is closed) and the smooth locus is the whole space since it is $\mathbb{C}P^3$.

Remark: For a direct proof, not using the theory of holomorphic bundles, that the character variety is $\mathbb{C}P^3$ see here.

Disclaimer: This answer is rewritten in response to Chris Woodward's insightful comments.

The moduli space of rank 2 semistable holomorphic vector bundles with trivial determinant on a genus 2 surface $\Sigma$ is homeomorphic to the character variety $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2)):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SU(2))/SU(2).$$ This homeomorphism restricts to a diffeomorphism between stable bundles and irreducible representations.

In the case of fixed determinant Higgs bundles on $\Sigma$ there is a similar homeomorphic correspondence with $$\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C})):=\mathrm{Hom}(\pi_1(\Sigma),SL(2,\mathbb{C}))/\!/SL(2, \mathbb{C}).$$ Carlos Simpson has shown under this latter correspondence all points, even singular points, have isomorphic corresponding étale neighborhoods (Isosingularity Theorem). In short, they are locally isomorphic. However, it is known these moduli spaces are not even biholomorphic let alone biregular, since the complex structure of the Higgs moduli space depends on the complex structure of $\Sigma$ as a Riemann surface whereas the complex structure on the character variety only depends on the $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$.

The moduli space of holomorphic vector bundles naturally embeds into the moduli space of Higgs bundles as those with trivial Higgs field. Likewise, $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ embeds into $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SL(2,\mathbb{C}))$, and the homeomorphisms above respect these embeddings.

So it is natural to think that the stratified analytic smooth structures on the moduli space of vector bundles and that of the semi-algebraic space $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ also correspond; as they do generically and also do on their "complexifications". However, as pointed out by Chris Woodward, Johannes Huebschmann proves in Smooth Structures on Certain Moduli Spaces for Bundles on a Surface that this is not the case. In particular, in Section 8 he explicitly addresses the case of a genus 2 surface where the moduli spaces in question are homeomorphic to $\mathbb{C}P^3$, showing explicitly that the natural smooth structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$ differs from that of $\mathbb{C}P^3$.

That is sufficient to answer the original question as: NO.

Remark: With regard to the (singular) symplectic structure on $\mathfrak{X}_\Sigma(SU(2))$. The Goldman Poisson structure, a Lie algebra structure and derivation, is defined globally on the coordiante ring of the character variety and makes sense even in a singular setting. In general, such a Poisson structure gives a foliation of the smooth locus by symplectic sub-manifolds. In this case there is one leaf (since the surface in question is closed).

Remark: For a direct proof, not using the theory of holomorphic bundles, that the character variety is $\mathbb{C}P^3$ see here. We can see the singularities directly in Choi's construction.

Source Link
Sean Lawton
  • 8.5k
  • 3
  • 46
  • 78
Loading