GK-dimension of birationally commutative surfaces

Abstract

Let k be an algebraically closed field, let K/k be a finitely generated field extension of transcendence degree 2 with automorphism sigma, and let A be an N-graded subalgebra of Q = K[t; sigma] with A_n finite dimensional over k for all n. Then if A is big enough in Q in an appropriate sense, we prove that GKdim A = 3,4,5 or is infinite, with the exact value depending only on the geometric properties of sigma. The proof uses techniques in the birational geometry of surfaces which are of independent interest.