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Given a point S ∈ ℙ2: = ℙ2(ℂ) and an irreducible algebraic curve 𝒞 of ℙ2 (with any type of singularities), we consider the lines ℛ m obtained by reflection of the lines (S m) on 𝒞 (for m ∈ 𝒞). The caustic by reflection Σ S (𝒞) is classically defined as the Zariski closure of the envelope of the reflected lines ℛ m . We identify this caustic with the Zariski closure of Φ(𝒞), where Φ is some rational map. We use this approach to give general and explicit formulas for the degree (with multiplicity) of caustics by reflection. Our formulas are expressed in terms of intersection numbers of the initial curve 𝒞 (or of its branches). Our method is based on a fundamental lemma for rational map thanks to the notion of Φ-polar and on the computation of intersection numbers. In particular, we use precise estimates related to the intersection numbers of 𝒞 with its polar at any point and to the intersection numbers of 𝒞 with its Hessian curve. These computations are linked with generalized Plucker formulas for the class...

A generalized Frenet formula for holomorphic 2-spheresS 2 in Grassmann manifoldsG(k,n) is introduced and a generalized Pliicker formula is achieved. By use of these formulae some pinching theorems for Gaussian curvature are obtained which generalize the corresponding results about holomorphic and minimalS 2 inCP n-1. Einsteinian holomorphic subbundle of the trivial bundleS 2 ×C n is investigated.

We prove a Plucker formula,for a projective variety X with arbitrary singularities, which expresses the class of X, the degree of the dual variety, in terms of Euler characteristics of X and of two linear sections of X. Moreover, we show that there is no formula whatsoever expressing this degree as a difference of two terms, a deformation invariant and a correction for singularities.