A log resolution for the theta divisor of a hyperelliptic curve

Abstract

In this paper, we prove that the theta divisor of a smooth hyperelliptic curve has a natural and explicit embedded resolution of singularities using iterated blowups of Brill-Noether subvarieties. We also show that the Brill-Noether stratification of the hyperelliptic Jacobian is a Whitney stratification.

40 pages, final version, to appear in Algebraic Geometry