Clifford Indices of Ribbons

Abstract

We present a theory of "limit linear series" for rational ribbons— that is, for schemes that are double structures on ${P^1}$. This allows us to define a "linear series Clifford index" for ribbons. Our main theorem shows that this is the same as the Clifford index of ribbons studied by Eisenbud-Bayer in this same volume. This allows us to prove that the Clifford index is semicontinuous in degenerations from a smooth curve to a ribbon. A result of Fong [1993] then shows that ribbons may be deformed to smooth curves of the same Clifford index. Thus the Canonical Curve Conjecture of Green [1984] would follow, at least for a general smooth curve of each Clifford index, from the corresponding statement for ribbons.