In algebraic geometry, a level structure on a space X is an extra structure attached to X that shrinks or eliminates the automorphism group of X, by demanding automorphisms to preserve the level structure; attaching a level structure is often phrased as rigidifying the geometry of X.[1][2]
In applications, a level structure is used in the construction of moduli spaces; a moduli space is often constructed as a quotient. The presence of automorphisms poses a difficulty to forming a quotient; thus introducing level structures helps overcome this difficulty.
There is no single definition of a level structure; rather, depending on the space X, one introduces the notion of a level structure. The classic one is that on an elliptic curve (see #Example: an abelian scheme). There is a level structure attached to a formal group called a Drinfeld level structure, introduced in (Drinfeld 1974).[3]
Classically, level structures on elliptic curves are given by a lattice containing the defining lattice of the variety. From the moduli theory of elliptic curves, all such lattices can be described as the lattice for in the upper-half plane. Then, the lattice generated by gives a lattice which contains all -torsion points on the elliptic curve denoted . In fact, given such a lattice is invariant under the action on , where
hence it gives a point in [4] called the moduli space of level N structures of elliptic curves , which is a modular curve. In fact, this moduli space contains slightly more information: the Weil pairing
gives a point in the -th roots of unity, hence in .
Silverman, Joseph H., 1955- (2009). The arithmetic of elliptic curves (2nd ed.). New York: Springer-Verlag. pp. 439–445. ISBN 978-0-387-09494-6. OCLC 405546184.{{cite book}}
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