Polynomially convex embeddings of odd-dimensional closed manifolds (Q2043614)

Given a closed orientable abstract manifold \(M\) of odd dimension \(2k+1\), \(k\geq 2\), it is natural to look for the least \(n\) such that \(M\) can be embedded in \(\mathbb{C}^n\) with certain prescribed properties. We recall that a compact set \(K \subset \mathbb{C}^n\) is polynomially convex if its polynomially convex hull concides with \(K\); polynomial convexity arises naturally in the context of function algebras in several complex variables. It is proved that \(M\) can be embedded in \(\mathbb{C}^{3k}\) as a polynomially convex subset \(M'\) which is totally real except along a finite union of simple closed real curves. Furthermore, it follows from a combination of classical approximation results and Oka-Weil theorem that any continuous function on \(M'\) can be uniformly approximated by holomorphic polynomials on \(M'\).