Special function identities from superelliptic Kummer varieties (Q1693284)

This article shows the geometry behind the well-known reduction formula by Barnes and Bailey [\textit{W. N. Bailey}, Q. J. Math., Oxf. II. Ser. 10, 236--240 (1959; Zbl 0087.28204)] that implies the factorization of Appell's generalized hypergeometric series into a product of two Gauss' hypergeometric functions. The main results are formulated in the following theorem Theorem. (a) Every Appell hypergeometric function with rational parameters satisfying the quadric property can be obtained as period integral of a suitable holomorphic two-form on the generalized Kummer variety of two superelliptic curves. (b) The Multivariate Clausen Identity of Barnes and Baily follows entirely from geometry, that is, from the existence of an isotrivial fibration and a second non-isotrivial fibration on the generalized Kummer variety of two superelliptic curves. The authors first construct a surface of general type as minimal nonsingular model of a product-quotient surface with only rational double points from a pair of superelliptic curves of genus \(2r-1\) with \(r\in{\mathbb{N}}\). Then they show that this generalized Kummer variety is equipped with two fibrations with general fiber of genus \(2r-1\). Next, the authors prove that the Multivariate Clausen Identity realizes the equality of periods of a holomorphic two-form evaluated over a suitable two-cycle using the structure of either of the two constructed fibrations.