A first-jet characterization of Griffiths positivity

Abstract

We characterize Griffiths positivity of vector bundles on smooth projective varieties by a finite-dimensional convex condition on first jets of sections of positive twists. A nonzero positive matrix-valued measure annihilated by the adjoint Levi operator gives the dual obstruction. We also give an explicit bundle on an abelian surface that satisfies the first-level condition, but whose complete untwisted evaluation has a differential kernel.