A general reflection principle in \(\mathbb{C}^ 2\) (Q1178633)

The equivalence problem for real hypersurfaces in \(\mathbb{C}^ 2\) and the problem of holomorphic extension of functions satisfying the tangential Cauchy-Riemann equations on such surfaces originate from H. Poincaré at the beginning of the century. Actually, this is the large domain of the so-called CR-theory, in which interact methods of complex analysis, partial differential equations and differential geometry. The first positive results on the extension problem, obtained by H. Levy and S. Pincuk under the condition of strict pseudoconvexity for the considered hypersurfaces, were extended and considerably weakened by a number of brilliant mathematicians, including the authors of the paper. In this paper they emphasize on the analogy with Schwarz reflection principle in the complex plane. This is the motivation of the introduced General Reflection Principe (GRP). GRP is in fact an appropriate axiomatization both of the properties of the hypersurfaces as well as on the mappings between them, which allows a holomorphic extension. The main theorem obtained has a very simple and elegant formulation in which all restrictions of finite multiplicity for the considered mappings and these one of finite type for hypersurfaces are eliminated. The proof is difficult. This is a ``tour de force'' based on a whole arsenal of technical tools. Recall that in the case of finite type for the surface, a stronger form of the result is known from the paper of the authors with \textit{S. Bell} [Duke Math. J. 56, No. 3, 503-530 (1988; Zbl 0655.32015)]. In the case of infinite type, a number of integers naturally associated with the considered hypersurfaces and mappings are introduced. They help the geometric study of the mentioned hypersurfaces and mappings and also are of independent interest.