Thom polynomials in $\mathcal{A}$-classification I: counting singular projections of a surface

Abstract

We study universal polynomials of characteristic classes associated to the $\mathcal{A}$-classification (i.e. up to right-left equivalence) of holomorphic map-germs $(\mathbb{C}^2,0) \to (\mathbb{C}^n, 0)$ $(n=2,3)$. That enables us to systematically treat with classical enumerative problems of lines of prescribed contact with a given projective surface in $3$ and $4$-spaces.