Pushforward of structure sheaf and virtual global generation

Abstract

Let $f\,:\,X\,\longrightarrow \,Y$ be a generically smooth morphism between irreducible smooth projective curves over an algebraically closed field of arbitrary characteristic. We prove that the vector bundle $((f_*{\mathcal O}_X)/{\mathcal O}_Y)^*$ is virtually globally generated. Moreover, $((f_*{\mathcal O}_X)/{\mathcal O}_Y)^*$ is ample if and only if f is genuinely ramified.