Abstract: 

In this talk, we will discuss spectral variety and related moduli spaces of Higgs pairs on surfaces. We will first introduce the geometry of moduli of Higgs pairs and the spectral varieties. Indeed, we will talk about the Noether-Lefschetz type problems and the Picard schemes of the spectral varieties. If time permits, the Picard group of generic (very general) spectral varieties and its geometric applications will also be discussed. This is a joint work with Bin Wang.