Moduli spaces are varieties that parametrize other geometric or algebraic objects (e.g., the complex projective space parametrizes lines through the origin in C^n). Deformation theory deals with the local description of these spaces, specifically studying the structure of the neighborhood of a chosen point. Its global counterpart is moduli theory, which explains how to construct these spaces. This course serves as an introduction to these theories. The target audience consists of master's students and doctoral candidates interested in algebra and algebraic geometry. We will do many examples.
Textbooks and sources:
"Deformation Theory", R. Hartshorne,
"The geometry of schemes", D. Eisenbud, J. Harris,
"Deformations of Algebraic Schemes", E. Sernesi,
Fundamental Algebraic Geometry explained, Fantechi et.al.
Foundations of Algebraic Geometry, Vakil.
Lectures
9.10. General overview: functors, moduli spaces, question of representability, functors on Artin rings. Representable functors: open subfunctors, open covers, Zariski descent, main theorem on representability [VI.2.1, Geometry of schemes]. Representability and smoothness of the Grassmannian.
16.10. Hilbert scheme of points: representability on any affine scheme and on a quasi-projective scheme over a field. Functor Map(X, Y), example of representability: tangent "bundle".
23.10. Tangent space to the Grassmannian, Hilbert scheme and Quot scheme. Tangent bundle to the Grassmannian, tangent bundle to PV, Euler sequence (mostly following Eisenbud-Harris, VI). Flatness following Vakil (and EGA?), including local criterion for flatness and locally free of finite rank = finitely presented, flat.
30.10. Flatness in the projective setting, Hilbert polynomial. The general definition of Hilbert scheme. Examples: Hilbert polynomials, constant, t+1, 3t+1.
6.11. Fogarty's proof of smoothness of the Hilbert scheme of points on a surface, case of projective plane.
13.11. Fibered categories: definitions, morphisms, homotopies. Examples. Principal G-bundles. Fibered products of fibered categories.
20.11. Functors embed into fibered categories. Fibered products of fibered categories. The fiber product of two copies of Spec(k) over BG. Glueing and stack condition. Representable diagonals, Artin stacks and Deligne-Mumford stacks. Further examples of stacks.
Each student is responsible for their own assessment by analyzing their understanding of the material. If the assessment is unfavorable, you should consult with peers, or me.
A formal assessment will be conducted at the end of the semester. I do not anticipate any mid-term exams. There will be, however, points for exercises (30% of the final grade, max number of points for declaring half of total number of exercises, lenient) and an exam (70% of the grade) in the form of "homework" assignment (to be completed in about a week) followed by an oral exam. The grading scale is as follows: ≥97% earns 5!, ≥90 earns 5, ≥85 earns 4.5, ≥80 earns 4, ≥70 earns 3.5, and ≥60 earns 3. These thresholds may change, but only to benefit the students.
