Abstract

Abstract. A curve X over Q is modular if it is dominated by X1(N) for some N; if in addition the image of its jacobian in J1(N) is contained in the new subvariety of J1(N), then X is called a new modular curve. We prove that for each g ≥ 2, the set of new modular curves over Q of genus g is finite and computable. For the computability result, we prove an algorithmic version of the de Franchis-Severi Theorem. Similar finiteness results are proved for new modular curves of bounded gonality, for new modular curves whose jacobian is a quotient of J0(N) new with N divisible by a prescribed prime, and for modular curves (new or not) with levels in a restricted set. We study new modular hyperelliptic curves in detail. In particular, we find all new modular curves of genus 2 explicitly, and construct what might be the complete list of all new modular hyperelliptic curves of all genera. Finally we prove that for each field k of characteristic zero and g ≥ 2, the set of genus-g curves over k dominated by a Fermat curve is finite and computable. 1. Introduction. Let X1(N) be the usual modular curve over Q; see Section 3.1 for a definition. (All curves and varieties in this paper are smooth, projective, and geometrically integral, unless otherwise specified. When we write an affine equation for a curve, its smooth projective model is implied.) A curve X

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