On the image of code polynomials under theta map

The theta map sends code polynomials into the ring of Siegel modular forms of even weights. Explicit description of the image is known for $g\leq 3$ and the surjectivity of the theta map follows. Instead it is known that this map is not surjective for $g\geq 5$. In this paper we discuss the possibility of an embedding between the associated projective varieties. We prove that this is not possible for $g\geq 4$ and consequently we get the non surjectivity of the graded rings for the remaining case $g=4$

Singularities of the theta divisor at points of order two

In this note we study the geometry of principally polarized abelian varieties (ppavs) with a vanishing theta-null (i.e. with a singular point of order two and even multiplicity lying on the theta divisor). We describe the locus within the theta-null divisor where this singularity is not an ordinary double point. By using theta function methods we first show that this locus does not equal the entire theta-null divisor (this was shown previously by O. Debarre). We then show that this locus is contained in the intersection of the theta-null divisor with the other irreducible components of the Andreotti-Mayer divisor N_0, and describe by using the geometry of the universal scheme of singularities of the theta divisor the components of this intersection that are contained in this locus. Some of the intermediate results obtained along the way of our proof were concurrently obtained independently by C. Ciliberto and G. van der Geer, and by R. de Jong

The G\"opel variety

In this paper we will prove that the six-dimensional G\"opel variety in $P^{134}$ is generated by 120 linear, 35 cubic and 35 quartic relations. This result was already obtained in [RS] , but the authors used a statement in [Co] saying that the G\"opel variety set theoretically is generated by the linear and cubic relations alone. Unfortunately this statement is false. There are 120 extra points. Nevertheless the results stated in [RS] are correct. There are required several changes that we will illustrate in some detai

Two generalizations of Jacobi's derivative formula

In this paper we generalize the famous Jacobi's triple product identity, considered as an identity for theta functions with characteristics and their derivatives, to higher genus/dimension. By applying the results and methods developed in our previous paper math.AG/0310085 several generalizations to Siegel modular forms are obtained. These generalizations are identities satisfied by theta functions with characteristics and their derivatives at zero. Equating the coefficients of the Fourier expansion of these relations to zero yields non-trivial combinatorial identities.Comment: final version, to appea

On the Coble quartic

We review and extend the known constructions relating Kummer threefolds, G¨opel systems, theta constants and their derivatives, and the GIT quotient for 7 points in P^2 to obtain an explicit expression for the Coble quartic. The Coble quartic was recently determined completely in [RSSS12], where it was computed completely explicitly, as a polynomial with 372060 monomials of bidegree (28, 4) in theta constants of the second order and theta functions of the second order, respectively. Our expression is in terms of products of theta constants with characteristics corresponding to G¨opel systems, and is a polynomial with 134 terms. Our approach is based on the beautiful geometry studied by Coble and further investigated by Dolgachev and Ortland and highlights the geometry and combinatorics of syzygetic octets of characteristics, and the corresponding representations of Sp(6, F_2). One new ingredient is the relationship of G¨opel systems and Jacobian determinants of theta functions. In genus 2, we similarly obtain a short explicit equation for the universal Kummer surface, and relate modular forms of level two to binary invariants of six points on P^

Some ball quotients with a Calabi--Yau model

Recently we determined explicitly a Picard modular variety of general type. On the regular locus of this variety there are holomorphic three forms which have been constructed as Borcherds products. Resolutions of quotients of this variety, such that the zero divisors are in the branch locus, are candidates for Calabi-Yau manifolds. Here we treat one distinguished example for this. In fact we shall recover a known variety given by the equations $X_0X_1X_2=X_3X_4X_5, \,\, X_0^3+X_1^3+X_2^3=X_3^3+X_4^3+X_5^3.$ as a Picard modular variety. This variety has a projective small resolution which is a rigid Calabi-Yau manifold ($h^{12}=0$) with Euler number $72$