Optimality for totally real immersions and independent mappings of manifolds into \(C^{N}\) (Q713045)

Let \(M\) always be a smooth, second countable manifold of real dimension \(n\). Then -- as the authors recall in an appendix -- the following two theorems are easily proved by counting dimensions and the Thom Transversality Theorem: Theorem 1. There exists a totally real immersion of each \(n\)-dimensional manifold \(M\) into \(\mathbb{C}^N\), provided \(N\geq [\frac{3n}{2}]\). Theorem 2. For every manifold \(M\) of dimension \(n\) there is a smooth map \(F: M\rightarrow\mathbb{C}^N\) whose component functions are independent, provided \(N\leq [\frac{n+1}{2}]\). In the present paper, the authors prove that both theorems stated above are optimal by studying simple examples in all positive dimensions. The examples consist of suitable direct products of \(\mathbb{C}\mathbb{P}^2\), \(\mathbb{R}\mathbb{P}^2\) and \(S^1\). In essence, the main arguments come down to computing and comparing Chern and Pontrjagin classes. Moreover, the authors compare their results to those for holomorphic immersions and submersions of Stein manifolds proved by \textit{O. Forster} [Comment. Math. Helv. 45, 170--184 (1970; Zbl 0184.31403)] and \textit{F. Forstnerič} [Acta Math. 191, No. 2, 143--189 (2003; Zbl 1064.32021)].