On k-gonal loci in Severi varieties on general K3 surfaces and rational curves on hyperkähler manifolds

Abstract

In this paper we study the gonality of the normalizations of curves in the linear system |H| of a general primitively polarized complex K3 surface (S,H) of genus p. We prove two main results. First we give a necessary condition on p,g,r,d for the existence of a curve in |H| with geometric genus g whose normalization has a gdr. Secondly we prove that for all numerical cases compatible with the above necessary condition, there is a family of nodal curves in |H| of genus g carrying a gk1 and of dimension equal to the expected dimensionmin{2(k−1),g}. Relations with the Mori cone of the hyperkähler manifold Hilbk(S) are discussed.