A new proof of a theorem of Grauert and Remmert by \(L_ 2\)-methods (Q1823345)

First we recall the following definitions [cf. \textit{H. Grauert} and \textit{R. Remmert}, Math. Ann. 136, 245-318 (1958; Zbl 0087.290)]: Definition: Let X be a locally compact space, G an open domain in \({\mathbb{C}}^ n\) and \(\pi\) : \(X\to G\) a finite and surjective mapping. Assume further that there exists an analytic subset A of G with: (1) \(\pi^{-1}(A)\) does not separate locally the set X. (2) \(\pi\) : (X\(\setminus \pi^{-1}(A))\to (G\setminus A)\) is locally topological. Then \(\pi\) : \(X\to G\) is called an analytically branched covering with critical locus A. A continuous function f: \(\Omega\) \(\to {\mathbb{C}}\) defined on an open subset \(\Omega\in X\) is called holomorphic if for every point \(P\in \Omega\) for which there exists an open neighborhood U(P)\(\subset \Omega\) such that \(\pi\) : U(P)\(\to \pi (U(P))\) is topological the function \(f\circ (\pi |_{U})^{-1}\) is holomorphic in \(\pi\) (U(P)). We show that on every analytically branched covering \(\pi\) : \(X\to G\) over a pseudoconvex domain G there exists a holomorphic function f which `separates' the sheets. That means that there exists a point \(P\in G\) ouside the critical locus such that the values of f in the finitely many points which lie over P are pairwise different. The proof, the idea of which was inofficially communicated by Siu in the year 1981, depends heavily on special \(L_ 2\)-methods like those which were used by Hörmander. Together with a normalisation theorem of Oka this yields: Theorem: Every analytically branched covering is an analytic covering with normal covering space. The theorem was proved in the year 1958 by Grauert and Remmert in the paper mentioned above with completely different methods.