Local structure of theta divisors and related loci of generic curves

Abstract

For a generic compact Riemann surface the theta function is at every point on the Jacobian equal to its first Taylor term, up to a holomorphic change of local coordinates and multiplication by a local holomorphic unit. More generally, any Brill-Noether locus of twisted stable vector bundles on a smooth projective curve is at every point L locally \'etale isomorphic with its tangent cone if the Petri map at L is injective. This assumption has various consequences for Brill-Noether loci: positive answers to the monodromy conjecture for generalized theta divisors and to questions of Schnell-Yang on log resolutions and Whitney stratifications, and formulas for local b-functions, log canonical thresholds, topological zeta functions, and minimal discrepancies.