Geometric Bogomolov conjecture in arbitrary characteristics (Q2152484)

The geometric Bogomolov conjecture is a conjecture on subvarieties of algebraic varieties over function fields which should characterizes the closed subvarieties of these varieties with a dense set of points of small (classical) height by \textit{W. Gubler} [Invent. Math. 169, No. 2, 377--400 (2007; Zbl 1153.14029)] and by \textit{K. Yamaki} [J. Math. Kyoto Univ. 48, No. 2, 401--443 (2008; Zbl 1248.11046)]. The authors of the paper under review explore and confirm the Bogomolov conjecture in the form of \textit{K. Yamaki} [Manuscr. Math. 142, No. 3--4, 273--306 (2013; Zbl 1281.14018)]. Let \(k\) be an algebraically closed field and let \( K/k\) be a finitely generated field extension of transcendence degree at least \(1\). Let \(A\) be an abelian variety over \(K\) and let \(X\) be a closed subvariety of \(A_{\overline K}\). For any subvariety \(X\) of \(A_{\overline K}\) and any \(\epsilon > 0\) the authors of the paper under review define the canonical height \(\hat h\) for points as a variant of the Tate height and consider sets \(X(\epsilon ) = \{x \in X({\overline K}) | \hat h(x) < \epsilon \}\). If \(X(\epsilon )\) is Zariski dense in \(X\) for all \( \epsilon> 0\) then the authors say that \(X\) contains a dense set of small points of \(A/K/k\). In connection with this they are especially interested in finding conditions to check when a subvariety \(X\) of \(A_{\overline K}\) is special. For results concerning aspects of special subvarieties see for instance a paper by \textit{B. Moonen} and \textit{F. Oort} [in: Handbook of moduli. Volume II. Somerville, MA: International Press; Beijing: Higher Education Press. 549--594 (2013; Zbl 1322.14065)]. For abelian varieties over function field \(K\) the notion of the \(K\)-trace has been defined by \textit{W.-L. Chow} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 78, 253--275 (1955; Zbl 0064.27601)] and have developed by \textit{S. Lang} [Abelian varieties. Reprint. New York etc.: Springer-Verlag (1983; Zbl 0516.14031)] and by \textit{B. Conrad} [Enseign. Math. (2) 52, No. 1--2, 37--108 (2006; Zbl 1133.14028)]. By definition of the authors, a subvariety\(X\) of \(A_{\overline K}\) is special if \(X = tr(Y\otimes_k {\overline K}) + T\) for some torsion subvariety \(T\) of \(A_{\overline K}\) and some subvariety \(Y\) of \(A^{{\overline K}/k}\). The main theorem of the paper (Theorem 1.3) states that if \(X\) contains a dense set of small points of \(A/K/k\), then \(X\) is special. The authors begin in the first section from recalling integral models of abelian varieties and from heights on closed subvarieties of abelian varieties. Then after a short description of small points and special subvarieties the geometric Bogomolov conjecture is presented. The plan of proof with notation and terminology are given. The next three sections of the paper build up the techniques needed to prove this theorem. Section two develops (non-proper) intersections techniques and section three studies lowerind the transcendence degree. The fourth section completes in the framework of line bundles over abelian varieties the preliminary work on the proof of the theorem of section five. Besides the above-mentioned results, the paper under review contains other interesting results of Diophantine geometry.