Bracket width of the Lie algebra of vector fields on a smooth affine curve

Abstract

We prove that the bracket width of the simple Lie algebra of vector fields $\rm{Vec}(C)$ of a smooth irreducible affine curve $C$ with a trivial tangent sheaf is at most three. In addition, if $C$ is a plane curve, the bracket width of $\rm{Vec}(C)$ is at most two and if moreover $C$ has a unique place at infinity, the bracket width of $\rm{Vec}(C)$ is exactly two. We also show that in case $C$ is rational, the width of $\rm{Vec}(C)$ equals one.