A Density Result for Real Hyperelliptic Curves

Abstract

Let $\{\infty^+, \infty^-\}$ be the two points above $\infty$ on the real hyperelliptic curve $H: y^2 = (x^2 - 1) \prod_{i=1}^{2g} (x - a_i)$. We show that the divisor $([\infty^+] - [\infty^-])$ is torsion in $\operatorname{Jac} J$ for a dense set of $(a_1, a_2, \ldots, a_{2g}) \in (-1, 1)^{2g}$. In fact, we prove by degeneration to a nodal $\mathbb{P}^1$ that an associated period map has derivative generically of full rank.