On Weierstrass semigroups and sets: a review with new results

In this work we present a survey of the main results in the theory of Weierstrass semigroups at several points, with special attention to the determination of bounds for the cardinality of its set of gaps. We also review results on applications to the theory of error correcting codes. We then recall a generalization of the concept of Weierstrass semigroup, which is the Weierstrass set associated to a linear system and several points. We finish by presenting new results on this Weierstrass set, including some on the cardinality of its set of gaps.      

Pure Weierstrass gaps from a quotient of the Hermitian curve

In this paper, by employing some results on Kummer extensions, we give an arithmetic characterization of pure Weierstrass gaps at many totally ramified places on a quotient of the Hermitian curve, including the well-studied Hermitian curve as a special case. The cardinality of these pure gaps is explicitly investigated. In particular, the numbers of gaps and pure gaps at a pair of distinct places are determined precisely, which can be regarded as an extension of the previous work by Matthews (2001) considered Hermitian curves. Additionally, some concrete examples are provided to illustrate our results.     

Two-point AG codes from the Beelen-Montanucci maximal curve

In this paper we investigate two-point algebraic-geometry codes (AG codes) coming from the Beelen-Montanucci (BM) maximal curve. We study properties of certain two-point Weierstrass semigroups of the curve and use them for determining a lower bound on the minimum distance of such codes. AG codes with better parameters with respect to comparable two-point codes from the Garcia-Güneri-Stichtenoth (GGS) curve are discovered.     

Weierstrass Pairs and Minimum Distance of Goppa Codes

We prove that elements of the Weierstrassgap set of a pair of points may be used to define a geometricGoppa code which has minimum distance greater than the usuallower bound. We determine the Weierstrass gap set of a pair ofany two Weierstrass points on a Hermitian curve and use thisto increase the lower bound on the minimum distance of particularcodes defined using a linear combination of the two points.     

Weierstrass Multiplicative Points on a Compact Riemann Surface

We introduce Weierstrass multiplicative points and develop the theory of Weierstrass multiplicative points for multiplicative meromorphic functions and Prym differentials on a compact Riemann surface. We prove some analogs of the Weierstrass and Noether theorems on the gaps of multiplicative functions. We obtain two-sided estimates for the number of Weierstrass multiplicative points and q-points. We propose a method for studying the Weierstrass and Noether gaps and Weierstrass multiplicative points by means of filtrations in the Jacobi variety of a compact Riemann surface.     

AG codes and AG quantum codes from the GGS curve

In this paper, algebraic-geometric (AG) codes associated with the GGS maximal curve are investigated. The Weierstrass semigroup at all \(\mathbb F_{q^2}\)-rational points of the curve is determined; the Feng-Rao designed minimum distance is computed for infinite families of such codes, as well as the automorphism group. As a result, some linear codes with better relative parameters with respect to one-point Hermitian codes are discovered. Classes of quantum and convolutional codes are provided relying on the constructed AG codes.     

On the Ree curve

We point out a characterization of the Ree curve which involves the number of rational points, the genus, and the shape of two elements of the Weierstrass semigroup at a rational point.     

The Weierstrass semigroup of a pair and moduli inM 3

We classify all the Weierstrass semigroups of a pair of points on a curve of genus 3, by using its canonical model in the plane. Moreover, we count the dimension of the moduli of curves which have a pair of points with a specified Weierstrass semigroup.This work has been supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (Project No. 976-0100-001-2). Also the first author is partially supported by Korea Research Foundation Grant (KRF-99-005-D00003).     

Eventually minimal curves

A curve defined over a finite field is maximal or minimal according to whether the number of rational points attains the upper or the lower bound in Hasse-Weils theorem, respectively. In the study of maximal curves a fundamental role is played by an invariant linear system introduced by Rück and Stichtenoth in [6]. In this paper we define an analogous invariant system for minimal curves, and we compute its orders and its Weierstrass points. In the last section we treat the case of curves having genus three in characteristic two.     

Existence of the non-primitive Weierstrass gap sequences on curves of genus 8

We show that for any possible Weierstrass gap sequence L on a non-singular curve of genus 8 with twice the smallest positive non-gap is less than the largest gap there exists a pointed non-singular curve (C, P) over an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0 such that the Weierstrass gap sequence at P is L. Combining this with the result in [6] we see that every possible Weierstrass gap sequence of genus 8 is attained by some pointed non-singular curve. *Partially supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (17540046), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. **Partially supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (17540030), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.     

On certain curves of genus three in characteristic two

We study curves of genus 3 over algebraically closed fields of characteristic 2 with the canonical theta characteristic totally supported in one point. We compute the moduli dimension of such curves and focus on some of them which have two Weierstrass points with Weierstrass directions towards the support of the theta characteristic. We answer questions related to order sequence and Weierstrass weight of Weierstrass points and the existence of other Weierstrass points with similar properties. – Dedicated to the treasured memory of our coauthor, Paulo Henrique Viana     

On the second Feng-Rao distance of Algebraic Geometry codes related to Arf semigroups

We describe the second (generalized) Feng-Rao distance for elements in an Arf numerical semigroup that are greater than or equal to the conductor of the semigroup. This provides a lower bound for the second Hamming weight for one point AG codes. In particular, we can obtain the second Feng-Rao distance for the codes defined by asymptotically good towers of function fields whose Weierstrass semigroups are inductive. In addition, we compute the second Feng-Rao number, and provide some examples and comparisons with previous results on this topic. These calculations rely on Apéry sets, and thus several results concerning Apéry sets of Arf semigroups are presented.     

Limit Weierstrass points on nodal reducible curves

In the 1980s D. Eisenbud and J. Harris posed the following question: ``What are the limits of Weierstrass points in families of curves degenerating to stable curves not of compact type?' In the present article, we give a partial answer to this question. We consider the case where the limit curve has components intersecting at points in general position and where the degeneration occurs along a general direction. For this case we compute the limits of Weierstrass points of any order. However, for the usual Weierstrass points, of order one, we need to suppose that all of the components of the limit curve intersect each other.

     

Weierstrass Semigroups of a Pair of Points Whose First Nongaps are Three

We found all candidates for a Weierstrass semigroup at a pair of Weierstrass points whose first nongaps are three. We prove that such semigroups are actually Weierstrass semigroups by constructing examples.     

Curves of Genus Three in Characteristic Two

For an algebraic nonsingular nonhyperelliptic complete curve of genus three defined over a field of characteristic two we show that the number of canonical Weierstrass points is one of the following: 24, 21, 20, 18, 17, 16, 15, 12, 11, 6 or 5. In most cases, we give also an explicit equation for the curve with the given number of Weierstrass points.     

Weierstrass semigroups whose minimum positive integers are even

We consider three subsets of the set of 2n-semigroups, where for a positive integer n a 2n-semigroup means a numerical semigroup whose minimum positive integer is 2n. These three subsets are obtained by the Weierstrass semigroups of total ramification points on a cyclic covering of the projective line, the Weierstrass semigroups of ramification points on a double covering of a non-singular curve and the Weierstrass semigroups of points on a non-singular curve. We show that the three subsets are different for n ≧ 3. Partially supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (17540046), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Received: 19 June 2006     

Curves covered by the Hermitian curve

A family of maximal curves is investigated that are all quotients of the Hermitian curve. These curves provide examples of curves with the same genus, the same automorphism group and the same Weierstrass semigroup at a generic point, but that are not isomorphic.     

Weierstrass Semigroups and Codes from a Quotient of the Hermitian Curve

We consider the quotient of the Hermitian curve defined by the equation y^q + y = x^m over where m > 2 is a divisor of q+1. For 2≤ r ≤ q+1, we determine the Weierstrass semigroup of any r-tuple of -rational points on this curve. Using these semigroups, we construct algebraic geometry codes with minimum distance exceeding the designed distance. In addition, we prove that there are r-point codes, that is codes of the form where r ≥ 2, with better parameters than any comparable one-point code on the same curve. Some of these codes have better parameters than comparable one-point Hermitian codes over the same field. All of our results apply to the Hermitian curve itself which is obtained by taking m=q +1 in the above equation Communicated by: J.W.P. Hirschfeld