A perfect obstruction theory for SU(2)-Higgs pairs

Abstract

We present a new method for constructing virtual cycles for rank-2 Higgs sheaves $(E,\phi)$ on a smooth projective surface $S$. Using this, we redefine the $\mathbf{SU}(2)$-perfect obstruction theory previously constructed by Tanaka-Thomas. The key step in our construction involves modifying the $\mathbf{C}^\times$-localisation formula of Graber-Pandharipande by replacing the torus action with an involution $(E,\phi) \mapsto (E^*,-\phi^*)$.