Restriction theorems for semistable sheaves

Abstract

In this paper we prove restriction theorems for torsion-free sheaves that are (semi)stable with respect to the truncated Hilbert polynomial over a smooth projective variety. Consequently, this settles a conjecture of Langer in the affirmative. Our results apply in particular to Gieseker-semistable sheaves and generalize the well-known restriction theorems of Mehta and Ramanathan. As an application we construct a moduli space of sheaves in higher dimensions.