An Analytic Proof of the Stable Reduction Theorem

Abstract

The stable reduction theorem says that a family of curves of genus $g\geq 2$ over a punctured curve can be uniquely completed (after possible base change) by inserting certain stable curves at the punctures. We give a new proof of this result for curves defined over $\mathbb{C}$ using the K\"ahler-Einstein metrics on the fibers to obtain the limiting stable curves at the punctures.