Global variants of Hartogs' theorem (Q2316820)

This is a very interesting paper. The classical Hartogs theorem about separately analytic complex functions being analytic finds here a very fine generalization, which is also global. Let's have a look at the theorems proved in the paper: Theorem 1.1. Let \(X=X_1\times\cdots\times X_n\) be the product of \(n\) complex algebraic manifolds and let \(f:U\to C\) be a function defined on an open subset \(U\) of \(X\). Assume that for each nonsingular algebraic curve \(C\subset X\), parallel to one of the factors of \(X\), the restriction \(f|U\cap C\) is a holomorphic function. Then \(f\) is a holomorphic function. Theorem 1.2. Let \(X=X_1\times\cdots\times X_n\) be the product of \(n\) complex algebraic manifolds and let \(f:U\to C\) be a function defined on an open subset \(U\) of \(X\). Assume that for each nonsingular algebraic curve \(C\subset X\), parallel to one of the factors of \(X\), the restriction \(f|U\cap C\) is a Nash function. Then \(f\) is a Nash function. Theorems 1.1 and 1.2 have a suitable analogue for regular functions. Definition. Let \(X\) be a complex algebraic manifold. A function \(f:U\to C\), defined on an open subset \(U\) of \(X\), is said to be regular if there exists a rational function \(R\) on \(X\) such that \(U\subset X\smallsetminus\mathrm{Pole}(R)\) and \(f=R|U\), where Pole\((R)\) stands for the polar set of \(R\). Clearly, any regular function on \(U\) is a Nash function. Theorem 1.3. Let \(X=X_1\times\cdots\times X_n\) be the product of \(n\) complex algebraic manifolds and let \(f:U\to C\) be a function defined on an open subset \(U\) of \(X\). Assume that for each nonsingular algebraic curve \(C\subset X\), parallel to one of the factors of \(X\), the restriction \(f|U\cap C\) is a regular function. Then \(f\) is a regular function. The definition of a curve being ``parallel'' goes as follows: We say that a subset \(A\) of \(X\) is parallel to the \(i\)-th factor of \(X\) if \(\pi_j(A)\) consists of one point for each \(j=i\). The paper is very well written, which is typical for these authors, very well organized, very clear, but the methods used are not easy. For instance, in Proposition 2.3 below the Hironaka desingularization theorem is to be used. Not surprising, given the strength of the result, but worth noticing. Proposition 2.3. Let \(X\) be a complex algebraic manifold and let \(f:U\to C\) be a function defined on an open subset \(U\) of \(X\). Assume that for each nonsingular algebraic curve \(C\subset X\) the restriction \(f|U\cap C\) is a holomorphic function. Then \(f\) is a holomorphic function. The proof begins: According to Hironaka's theorem on resolution of singularities [\textit{H. Hironaka}, Ann. Math. (2) 79, 109--203 (1964; Zbl 0122.38603)], we may assume that the manifold \(X\) is projective. Hironaka's theorem cannot be avoided here. The paper is virtually self contained, as the results used are well quoted and easy to find, even if difficult in themselves. Each tool that needs adjusting (like Noether's normalization lemma presented here as Lemma 1.2) is adjusted and a full proof is given. This makes the paper very pleasant for the reader. The results seem very useful. It is often easier to examine functions on algebraic curves (cf. [\textit{J. Kollár} et al., Math. Ann. 370, No. 1--2, 39--69 (2018; Zbl 1407.14056)]).