Normal embeddings of semialgebraic sets (Q1591616)

A connected semialgebraic subset \(X\) of \({\mathbb R}^n\) is said to be normally embedded if the geodesic metric on \(X\) is equivalent to the induced metric on \(X\). The main result of the paper is the following. Let \(X\) be a compact connected semialgebraic subset of \({\mathbb R}^n\). Then there is a semialgebraic subset \(Y\) of some \({\mathbb R}^m\) such that \(X\) and \(Y\) are bi-Lipschitz equivalent with respect to their geodesic metrics. More precisely, there is a homeomorphism \(f\colon X\rightarrow Y\) and there are positive constants \(K\) and \(L\) such that \[ Kd_X(x,y)\leq d_Y(f(x),f(y))\leq Ld_X(x,y) \] for all \(x,y\in X\), where \(d_X\) (resp. \(d_Y\)) denotes the geodesic metric on \(X\) (resp. on \(Y\)). The main ingredients in the proof are the pancake decomposition of a closed semialgebraic set and the related pancake metric, due to \textit{K. Kurdyka} [Lect. Notes Math. 1524, 316-322 (1992; Zbl 0779.32006)] and \textit{A. Parusinski} [Ann. Sci. Ec. Norm. Supér., IV. Sér. 27, 661-696 (1994; Zbl 0819.32007)]. The semialgebraic subset \(Y\) is explicitly constructed from \(X\) using the so-called tent procedure.