Exploring the interplay of semistable vector bundles and their restrictions on reducible curves

Abstract

Let $C$ be a comb-like curve over $\mathbb{C}$, and $E$ be a vector bundle of rank $n$ on $C$. In this paper, we investigate the criteria for the semistability of the restriction of $E$ onto the components of $C$ when $E$ is given to be semistable with respect to a polarization $w$. As an application, assuming each irreducible component of $C$ is general in its moduli space, we investigate the $w$-semistability of kernel bundles on such curves, extending the results (completely for rank two and partially for higher rank) known in the case of a reducible nodal curve with two smooth components, but here, using different techniques.

13 pages; final version; to appear in Adv. Geom