The minimal degree of plane models of algebraic curves and double coverings

Let C be a smooth irreducible projective curve of genus g and s(C, 2) (or simply s(2)) the minimal degree of plane models of C. We show the non-existence of curves with s(2) = g for g ≥ 10, g ≠ 11. Another main result is determining the value of s(2) for double coverings of hyperelliptic curves. We also give a criterion for a curve with big s(2) to be a double covering.