Shatz strata in algebraic versal deformation spaces

Abstract

Over a smooth complex projective curve, we study an algebraic versal deformation space with fixed determinant of a coherent sheaf. The algebraic versal deformation space decomposes into a disjoint union of Shatz strata, namely locally closed subschemes which parametrize coherent sheaves with common Harder-Narasimhan types. We study the geometry and local topology of large unstable strata and their behavior along boundaries.

13 pages, 3 figures