Algebraic Geometry Seminar

Let Y be a variety. A finite cover X -> Y of Y gives a natural vector bundle on Y, namely the direct image of the structure sheaf of X. Which vector bundles on Y arise in this way? I will present an answer to an asymptotic version of this question when Y is a curve, generalizing previous results of Ballico and Kanev, and answering a question of Lazarsfeld. This is joint work with Anand Patel.