Smooth rational curves on rational surfaces

Abstract: Consider the scheme parametrizing non-constant morphisms from a fixed projective curve to a projective surface. There is a rational map between this scheme and the Chow variety of $1$-cycles on the surface. We prove that, if the curve is non-singular, then this rational map is a morphism. As a consequence, we obtain that, if the surface is rational and we fix a divisor class containing a non-singular rational curve, then the scheme parametrizing rational curves on this class is irreducible. Further, if the class has non-negative self-intersection, then the scheme of rational curves has expected dimension.