arXiv · 2608.17953
Symmetric Differentials on K3 Surfaces
Abstract
We prove that a K3 surface over an algebraically closed field admits a nonzero global symmetric differential of positive degree if and only if the characteristic is $p=2$, and it is supersingular of Artin invariant $\sigma_0=1$. Vanishing was previously only known in characteristic zero by a result of Kobayashi. For the exceptional case we show that there is a unique (up to scaling) nontrivial global symmetric differential in every positive even degree. Along the way, we extend a theorem of Jang and show that a supersingular K3 surface in characteristic $p>0$ is isomorphic to a smooth quartic surface if and only if $p\geq3$ or $p=2$ and it is of Artin invariant $\sigma_0\geq3$.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Frank Gounelas, Christian Liedtke. 2026-08-18. Symmetric Differentials on K3 Surfaces. https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.17953
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.