The second rational homology group of the moduli space of curves with level structures - [pdf]
[ps]
Adv. Math. 229 (2012), 1205–1234.
Abstract :
Let $\Gamma$ be a finite-index subgroup of the mapping
class group of a closed genus $g$ surface that contains the Torelli group. For
instance, $\Gamma$ can be the level $L$ subgroup or the spin mapping
class group. We show that $H_2(\Gamma;\Q) \cong \Q$ for $g \geq 5$. A
corollary of this is that the rational Picard groups of the associated
finite covers of the moduli space of curves are equal to $\Q$. We also prove
analogous results for surface with punctures and boundary components.