Related papers: Conic bundle threefolds differing by a constant Br…

The moduli space M(r,d) of stable, rank r, degree d vector bundles on a smooth projective curve of genus g>1 is shown to be birational to M(h,0) x A, where h=hcf(r,d) and A is affine space of dimension (r^2-h^2)(g-1). The birational…

The moduli space of slope-stable vector bundles on a normal projective variety over an algebraically closed field of characteristic $p\geq 0$ is stratified with respect to the decomposition type. On a smooth projective curve of genus at…

For any standard quadric surface bundle over $\mathbb P^2$, we show that the locus of rational fibres is dense in the moduli space.

Let SU(r,d) be the moduli space of rank r, degree d vector bundles over a smooth projective curve of genus $g\ge 2$. If (r,d)=1 and d divides r+1, then SU is rational. Furthermore, if $0<\delta < r$ and all prime divisors of $\delta$ divide…

Let $C$ be a curve of genus two. We denote by $SU_C(3)$ the moduli space of semi-stable vector bundles of rank 3 and trivial determinant over $C$, and by $J^d$ the variety of line bundles of degree $d$ on $C$. In particular, $J^1$ has a…

We continue previous works by various authors and study the birational geometry of moduli spaces of stable rank-two vector bundles on surfaces with Kodaira dimension $-\infty$. To this end, we express vector bundles as natural extensions,…

Let k be an arbitrary field of characteristic zero. In this paper we study quotients of k-rational conic bundles over projective line by finite groups of automorphisms. We construct smooth minimal models for such quotients. We show that any…

The aim of this short note is to give a simple proof of the non-rationality of the double cover of the three-dimensional projective space branched over a sufficiently general quartic.

We prove that the Brauer group of the moduli stack of parabolic stable principal $\text{PGL}(r,\mathbb{C})$-bundles on a curve $X$, for a generic system of weights along an arbitrary parabolic divisor, coincides with the Brauer group of the…

We study the problem of rationality of an infinite series of components, the so-called Ein components, of the Gieseker-Maruyama moduli space $M(e,n)$ of rank 2 stable vector bundles with the first Chern class $e=0$ or -1 and all possible…

Geometric transitions between Calabi-Yau manifolds have proven to be a powerful tool in exploring the intricate and interconnected vacuum structure of string compactifications. However, their role in N=1, 4-dimensional string…

Let $X$ be an irreducible smooth complex projective curve of genus at least two. Let $N$ be a connected component of the moduli space of semistable principal ${\rm PGL}_r({\mathbb C})$- bundles over $X$; it is a normal unirational complex…

Cubic fourfolds of discriminant 24 contain special codimension-two algebraic cycles of degree 6 and self-intersection 20. Such cycles may be represented by singular scrolls or del Pezzo surfaces. A discriminant 24 cubic fourfold gives rise…

Fix a smooth projetive curve $\mathcal {C}$ of genus $g\geq 2$ and a line bundle $\mathcal{L}$ on $\mathcal{C}$ of degree $d$. Let $M:= \mathcal{SU}_{\mathcal{C}}(r, \mathcal{L})$ be the moduli space of stable vector bundles on…

Refereed version to appear in Michigan Mathematical Journal. A mistake in the last section of the previous version has been corrected. The new title exactly describes the main result obtained. Building on the geometry of cubic surfaces and…

We consider the connections among algebraic cycles, abelian varieties, and stable rationality of smooth projective varieties in positive characteristic. Recently Voisin constructed two new obstructions to stable rationality for rationally…

Double ramification loci, also known as strata of $0$-differentials, are algebraic subvarieties of the moduli space of smooth curves parametrizing Riemann surfaces such that there exists a rational function with prescribed ramification over…

A bidouble cover is a flat $G:=\left(\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}\right)^2$-Galois cover $X \rightarrow Y$. In this situation there exist three intermediate quotients $Y_1,Y_2$ and $Y_3$ which correspond to the three subgroups…

We study the rationality properties of the moduli space $\mathcal{A}_g$ of principally polarised abelian $g$-folds over $\mathbb{Q}$ and apply the results to arithmetic questions. In particular we show that any principally polarised abelian…

We formulate a concrete geometric approximation hypothesis (Hypothesis~BB) asserting that codimension-$2$ Hodge classes on a smooth projective threefold can be realized as specializations of families whose general members are…