On the vanishing of negative K-groups

Let k be an infinite perfect field of positive characteristic p and assume that strong resolution of singularities holds over k. We prove that, if X is a d-dimensional noetherian scheme whose underlying reduced scheme is essentially of finite type over the field k, then the negative K-group K_q(X) vanishes for every q < -d. This partially affirms a conjecture of Weibel.Comment: Math. Ann. (to appear

On the curvature of vortex moduli spaces

We use algebraic topology to investigate local curvature properties of the moduli spaces of gauged vortices on a closed Riemann surface. After computing the homotopy type of the universal cover of the moduli spaces (which are symmetric powers of the surface), we prove that, for genus g>1, the holomorphic bisectional curvature of the vortex metrics cannot always be nonnegative in the multivortex case, and this property extends to all Kaehler metrics on certain symmetric powers. Our result rules out an established and natural conjecture on the geometry of the moduli spaces.Comment: 25 pages; final version, to appear in Math.

On the existence of a compact generator on the derived category of a noetherian formal scheme

In this paper, we prove that for a noetherian formal scheme X, its derived category of sheaves of modules with quasi-coherent torsion homologies D_qct(X) is generated by a single compact object. In an appendix we prove that the category of compact objects in D_qct(X) is skeletally small.Comment: 13 page