Linking numbers and boundaries of varieties

DOI10.2307/121114zbMATH Open1013.32007arXivmath/0008033OpenAlexW2091443778MaRDI QIDQ1972071FDOQ1972071

Herbert J. Alexander, John Wermer

Publication date: 3 September 2000

Published in: Annals of Mathematics. Second Series (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: The intersection index at a common point of two analytic varieties of complementary dimensions in $Bbb{C}^n$ is positive. This observation, which has been called a ``cornerstone of algebraic geometry ([GH, p.~62]), is a simple consequence of the fact that analytic varieties carry a natural orientation. Recast in terms of linking numbers, it is our principal motivation. It implies the following: Let $M$ be a smooth oriented compact 3-manifold in $Bbb{C}^3$. Suppose that $M$ bounds a bounded complex 2-variety $V$. Here ``bounds means, in the sense of Stokes' theorem, i.e., that $b[V]=[M]$ as currents. Let $A$ be an algebraic curve in $Bbb{C}^3$ which is disjoint from M. Consider the linking number $mlink(M,A)$ of $M$ and $A$. Since this linking number is equal to the intersection number (i.e. the sum of the intersection indices) of $V$ and $A$, by the positivity of these intersection indices, we have $mlink(M,A)geq0$. The linking number will of course be 0 if $V$ and $A$ are disjoint. (As $A$ is not compact, this usage of ``linking number will be clarified later.) This reasoning shows more generally that $mlink(M,A)geq0$ if $M$ bounds a positive holomorphic 2-chain. Recall that a {it holomorphic $k$-chain} in $OmegasubseteqBbb{C}^n$ is a sum $sum{n}_j[V_j]$ where $V_j$ is a locally finite family of irreducible $k$-dimensional subvarieties of $Omega$ and $n_{j}inBbbZ$ and that the holomorphic 2-chain is {it positive} if $n_j>0$ for all $j$. Our first result is that, conversely, the nonnegativity of the linking number characterizes boundaries of positive holomorphic 2-chains.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/math/0008033

Recommendations

• Projective linking and boundaries of positive holomorphic chains in projective manifolds. I
• Projective linking and boundaries of positive holomorphic chains in projective manifolds. II
• Chaînes holomorphes de bord donné dans $\bbfC P^n$
• scientific article
• Sur la caractérisation du bord d'une chaîne holomorphe dans l'espace projectif

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Integration on analytic sets and spaces, currents (32C30) Differential topology (57R99) Other operations on complex singularities (32S70)

Cited In (16)

• Enumeration of border-strip decompositions & Weil-Petersson volumes
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• LINKING NUMBER IN A PROJECTIVE SPACE AS THE DEGREE OF A MAP
• Parametric argument principle and its applications to CR functions and manifolds
• On the support of complete intersection zero-cycles
• Link complexes of subspace arrangements
• Polynomial hulls and positive currents
• Meromorphic extendibility and rigidity of interpolation
• Sur la caractérisation du bord d'une chaîne holomorphe dans l'espace projectif
• The argument principle and holomorphic extendibility to finite Riemann surfaces
• CR foliations, the strip-problem and Globevnik-Stout conjecture
• Varieties connected by chains of lines
• Propagation of boundary CR foliations and Morera type theorems for manifolds with attached analytic discs
• The argument principle and holomorphic extendibility
• Boundaries of varieties in projective manifolds
• UPPER BOUNDS ON LINKING NUMBERS OF THICK LINKS

This page was built for publication: Linking numbers and boundaries of varieties

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q1972071)