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Sharply o-minimal Structures: towards a theory of arithmetically tame geometry

Project description

Special class of o-minimal structures under study

O-minimality is a model-theoretic formalism of tame geometry. Sets that are definable in o-minimal structures enjoy strong finiteness properties, such as the existence of finite stratifications and triangulations. However, some finer aspects of tameness, especially relating to arithmetic, are not accessible in the full generality of o-minimal theory. The ERC-funded SharpOS project introduces the notion of ‘sharply o-minimal structures’ to capture the finer arithmetic properties of the definable sets arising in algebraic and arithmetic geometry. Project work will be based on recent advances in the construction of such sharp structures, such as the first example of a sharply o-minimal structure beyond the semialgebraic case.

Objective

"O-minimality is a model-theoretic formalism of tame geometry. Sets that are definable in o-minimal structures enjoy strong finiteness properties, such as the existence of finite stratifications and triangulations. While drawing inspiration from the classical areas of semialgebraic and subanalytic geometry, o-minimality encompasses a strictly larger range of structures - most notably structures defined using the logarithmic and exponential functions. In the past 15 years o-minimality has enjoyed a golden age, as deep connections relating these larger structures to arithmetic geometry and Hodge theory have been unfolding. However, over this period it has become clear that some finer aspects of tameness, especially as it relates to arithmetic, are not accessible in the full generality of o-minimal theory. Some prominent conjectures have been formulated only for specific structures, with a folklore expectation that they should hold in all structures naturally arising in algebraic and arithmetic geometry.

In this project we propose to refine the foundation of o-minimal geometry by introducing a notion of ""sharply o-minimal structures'', with the goal of capturing the finer arithmetic properties of the definable sets arising in algebraic and arithmetic geometry. We argue that this should be achieved by postulating sharper estimates for the asymptotic interaction between definable and algebraic sets. The construction of such ""sharp"" structures has until recently seemed technically unattainable, but three recent technical developments, including the first example of a sharply o-minimal structure beyond the semialgebraic case, renders the project timely and potentially feasible. We show how many recent advances in the area point to sharp o-minimality as a possible grand unifying framework, and illustrate how a realization of this program would greatly simplify, strengthen and generalize many of the state of the art applications of o-minimality."

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) ERC-2022-COG

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Host institution

WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
Net EU contribution
€ 1 787 660,00
Address
HERZL STREET 234
7610001 Rehovot
Israel
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 1 787 660,00

Beneficiaries (1)