arXiv subjects

Rahim Moosa

Publications and source records attributed to Rahim Moosa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Wild automorphisms and compound isotriviality

Inspired by the model theory of difference fields in characteristic zero, a class of automorphisms of an algebraic variety, here called compound fundamental isotrivial, is introduced. These are algebraic dynamical systems that are built up via a finite sequence of equivariant fibrations from (possibly nonautonomous) algebraic dynamics which trivialise after base extension over themselves. Every wild automorphism of an abelian variety is compound fundamental isotrivial. Conversely, it is shown that the only irreducible projective varieties admitting a wild automorphism that is compound fundamental isotrivial are the abelian varieties. That is, the wild automorphism conjecture of Reichstein, Rogalski, and Zhang is here proven for compound fundamental isotrivial dynamics. Along the way, a counterexample to the naive generalisation of the conjecture to the nonautonomous setting of $\sigma$-varieties is provided.

math.AG↗

arXiv2025

A transformal transcendence result for algebraic difference equations

Given an algebraic difference equation of the form \[\sigma^n(y)=f\big(y, \sigma(y),\dots,\sigma^{n-1}(y)\big)\] where $f$ is a rational function over a field $k$ of characteristic zero on which $\sigma$ acts trivially, it is shown that if there is a nontrivial algebraic relation amongst any number of $\sigma$-disjoint solutions, along with their $\sigma$-transforms, then there is already such a relation between three solutions. Here ``$\sigma$-disjoint" means $a\neq\sigma^r(b)$ for any integer $r$. A weaker version of the theorem, where ``three" is replaced by $n+4$, is also obtained when $\sigma$ acts non-trivially on $k$. Along the way a number of other structural results about primitive rational dynamical systems are established. These theorems are deduced as applications of a detailed model-theoretic study of finite-rank quantifier-free types in the theory of existentially closed difference fields of characteristic zero. In particular, it is also shown that the degree of non-minimality of such types over fixed-field parameters is bounded by $2$.

math.LO↗

arXiv2025

Definable Galois theory for bimeromorphic geometry

The outlines of a "Galois theory" for bimeromorphic geometry is here developed, via the study of model-theoretic definable binding groups in the theory CCM of compact complex spaces. As an application, a structure theorem about principal meromorphic bundles with algebraic structure group, and admitting no horizontal subvarieties, is deduced. Examples of algebraic groups arising as binding groups are provided, as is a characterisation of when they are linear. Using binding groups in CCM it is shown that, in contrast to the situation in differentially closed fields, there are many algebraic groups which admit nontrivial definable torsors over acl-closed sets in the theory DCCM of existentially closed differential CCM-structures. A self-contained exposition of the binding group theorem in totally transcendental theories, that emphasises the bitorsorial nature of the construction, is also included.

math.LO↗

arXiv2024

A note on subvarieties of powers of OT-manifolds

It is shown that the space of finite-to-finite holomorphic correspondences on an OT-manifold is discrete. When the OT-manifold has no proper infinite complex-analytic subsets, it then follows by known model-theoretic results that its cartesian powers have no interesting complex-analytic families of subvarieties. The methods of proof, which are similar to [Moosa, Moraru, and Toma ``An essentially saturated surface not of K\"ahler-type", {\em Bull. of the LMS}, 40(5):845--854, 2008], require studying finite unramified covers of OT-manifolds.

math.CV↗

arXiv2024

Binding groups for algebraic dynamics

A binding group theorem is proved in the context of quantifier-free internality to the fixed field in difference-closed fields of characteristic zero. This is articulated as a statement about the birational geometry of isotrivial algebraic dynamical systems, and more generally isotrivial $\sigma$-varieties. It asserts that if $(V,\phi)$ is an isotrivial $\sigma$-variety then a certain subgroup of the group of birational transformations of $V$, namely those that preserve all the relations between $(V,\phi)$ and the trivial dynamics on the affine line, is in fact an algebraic group. Several application are given including new special cases of the Zariski Dense Orbit Conjecture and the Dixmier-Moeglin Equivalence Problem in algebraic dynamics, as well as finiteness results about the existence of nonconstant invariant rational functions on cartesian powers of $\sigma$-varieties. These applications give algebraic-dynamical analogues of recent results in differential-algebraic geometry.

math.LO↗

arXiv2023

Finite-dimensional differential-algebraic permutation groups

Several structural results about permutation groups of finite rank definable in differentially closed fields of characteristic zero (and other similar theories) are obtained. In particular, it is shown that every finite rank definably primitive permutation group is definably isomorphic to an algebraic permutation group living in the constants. Applications include the verification, in differentially closed fields, of the finite Morley rank permutation group conjectures of Borovik-Deloro and Borovik-Cherlin. Applying the results to binding groups for internality to the constants, it is deduced that if complete types $p$ and $q$ are of rank $m$ and $n$, respectively, and are nonorthogonal, then the $(m+3)$rd Morley power of $p$ is not weakly orthogonal to the $(n+3)$rd Morley power of $q$. An application to transcendence of generic solutions of pairs of algebraic differential equations is given.

math.LO↗

arXiv2023

Invariant rational functions under rational transformations

Let $X$ be an algebraic variety equipped with a dominant rational self-map $\phi:X\to X$. A new quantity measuring the interaction of $(X,\phi)$ with trivial dynamical systems is introduced; the stabilised algebraic dimension of $(X,\phi)$ captures the maximum number of new algebraically independent invariant rational functions on the cartesian product of $(X, \phi)$ and $(Y, \psi)$, as $(Y,\psi)$ ranges over all algebraic dynamical systems. It is shown that this birational invariant agrees with the maximum dimension of a dominant equivariant rational image $(X',\phi')$ where $\phi'$ is part of an algebraic group action on $X'$. As a consequence, it is deduced that if some cartesian power of $(X,\phi)$ admits a nonconstant invariant rational function, then already the second cartesian power does.

math.AG↗

arXiv2023

A model theory for meromorphic vector fields

Motivated by the study of meromorphic vector fields, a model theory of "compact complex manifolds equipped with a generic derivation" is here proposed. This is made precise by the notion of a differential CCM-structure. A first-order axiomatisation of existentially closed differential CCM-structures is given. The resulting theory, DCCM, is a common expansion of the theories of differentially closed fields and compact complex manifolds. A study of the basic model theory of DCCM is initiated, including proofs of completeness, quantifier elimination, elimination of imaginaries, and total transcendentality. The finite-dimensional types in DCCM are shown to be precisely the generic types of meromorphic vector fields.

math.LO↗

arXiv2022

A differential analogue of the wild automorphism conjecture

A differential analogue of the conjecture of Reichstein, Rogalski, and Zhang in algebraic dynamics is here established: if $X$ is a projective variety over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero which admits a global algebraic vector field $v:X\to TX$ such that $(X,v)$ has no proper invariant subvarieties then $X$ is an abelian variety. Vector fields on abelian varieties with this property are also examined. Some of the analysis works in the more general context of $D$-varieties over differential fields: projective $D$-varieties without proper $D$-subvarieties are homogeneous. But the main theorem does not extend: an example of a $D$-variety structure on the projective line without proper $D$-subvarieties is given.

math.AG↗

arXiv2022

Six lectures on model theory and differential-algebraic geometry

This is a write-up of some lectures I gave in the Fall of 2021 at the Fields Institute in Toronto, as part of the Thematic Programme on Trends in Pure and Applied Model Theory. The goal of the module was to give a quick introduction to the model theory of differential fields that puts differential-algebraic geometry at the center. I focus here on the birational geometry of algebraic vector fields and more generally $D$-varieties in the sense of Buium.

math.LO↗

arXiv2022

Abelian reduction in differential-algebraic and bimeromorphic geometry

A new tool for the model theory of differentially closed fields and of compact complex manifolds is here developed. In such settings, it is shown that a type internal to the field of constants (resp. to the projective line) admits a maximal image whose binding group is an abelian variety. The properties of such "abelian reductions" are investigated in the Galois-theoretic framework provided by stability theory. Several geometric consequences for the birational geometry of algebraic vector fields of characteristic zero are then deduced. In particular, (1) it is shown that if some cartesian power of an algebraic vector field admits a nontrivial rational first integral then already the second power does, (2) two-dimensional isotrivial algebraic vector fields are classified up to birational equivalence, and (3) algebraic vector fields whose finite covers admit no nontrivial factors are studied in arbitrary dimension. Analogues of these results in bimeromorphic geometry are also obtained.

math.AG↗

arXiv2022

The degree of nonminimality is at most two

It is shown that if $p$ is a complete type of Lascar rank at least 2 over $A$, in the theory of differentially closed fields of characteristic zero, then there exists a pair of realisations, $a_1$ and $a_2$, such that $p$ has a nonalgebraic forking extension over $A,a_1,a_2$. Moreover, if $A$ is contained in the field of constants then $p$ already has a nonalgebraic forking extension over $A,a_1$. The results are also formulated in a more general setting.

math.LO↗

arXiv2021

Commutative bidifferential algebra

Motivated by the Poisson Dixmier-Moeglin equivalence problem, a systematic study of commutative unitary rings equipped with a {\em biderivation}, namely a binary operation that is a derivation in each argument, is here begun, with an eye toward the geometry of the corresponding {\em $B$-varieties}. Foundational results about extending biderivations to localisations, algebraic extensions and transcendental extensions are established. Resolving a deficiency in Poisson algebraic geometry, a theory of base extension is achieved, and it is shown that dominant $B$-morphisms admit generic $B$-fibres. A bidifferential version of the Dixmier-Moeglin equivalence problem is articulated.

math.AC↗

arXiv2021

When any three solutions are independent

Given an algebraic differential equation of order greater than one, it is shown that if there is any nontrivial algebraic relation amongst any number of distinct nonalgebraic solutions, along with their derivatives, then there is already such a relation between three solutions. In the autonomous situation when the equation is over constant parameters the assumption that the order be greater than one can be dropped, and a nontrivial algebraic relation exists already between two solutions. These theorems are deduced as an application of the following model-theoretic result: Suppose $p$ is a stationary nonalgebraic type in the theory of differentially closed fields of characteristic zero; if any three distinct realisations of $p$ are independent then $p$ is minimal. If the type is over the constants then minimality (and complete disintegratedness) already follow from knowing that any two realisations are independent. An algebro-geometric formulation in terms of $D$-varieties is given. The same methods yield also an analogous statement about families of compact K\"ahler manifolds.

math.AG↗

arXiv2021

Bounding nonminimality and a conjecture of Borovik-Cherlin

Motivated by the search for methods to establish strong minimality of certain low order algebraic differential equations, a measure of how far a finite rank stationary type is from being minimal is introduced and studied: The {\em degree of nonminimality} is the minimum number of realisations of the type required to witness a nonalgebraic forking extension. Conditional on the truth of a conjecture of Borovik and Cherlin on the generic multiple-transitivity of homogeneous spaces definable in the stable theory being considered, it is shown that the nonminimality degree is bounded by the $U$-rank plus $2$. The Borovik-Cherlin conjecture itself is verified for algebraic and meromorphic group actions, and a bound of $U$-rank plus $1$ is then deduced unconditionally for differentially closed fields and compact complex manifolds. An application is given regarding transcendence of solutions to algebraic differential equations.

math.LO↗

arXiv2020

Effective isotrivial Mordell-Lang in positive characteristic

The isotrivial Mordell-Lang theorem of Moosa and Scanlon describes the set $X\cap\Gamma$ when $X$ is a subvariety of a semiabelian variety $G$ over a finite field $\mathbb{F}_q$ and $\Gamma$ is a finitely generated subgroup of $G$ that is invariant under the $q$-power Frobenius endomorphism $F$. That description is here made effective, and extended to arbitrary commutative algebraic groups $G$ and arbitrary finitely generated $\mathbb{Z}[F]$-submodules $\Gamma$. The approach is to use finite automata to give a concrete description of $X\cap \Gamma$. These methods and results have new applications even when specialised to the case when $G$ is an abelian variety over a finite field, $X\subseteq G$ a subvariety defined over a function field $K$, and $\Gamma=G(K)$. As an application of the automata-theoretic approach, a dichotomy theorem is established for the growth of the number of points in $X(K)$ of bounded height. As an application of the effective description of $X\cap\Gamma$, decision procedures are given for the following three diophantine problems: Is $X(K)$ nonempty? Is it infinite? Does it contain an infinite coset?

math.NT↗

arXiv2019

Model theory and the DME: a survey

Recent work using the model theory of differentially closed fields to answer questions having to do with the Dixmier-Moeglin equivalence for (noncommutatve) finitely generated noetherian algebras, and for (commutative) finitely generated Poisson algebras, is here surveyed, with an emphasis on the model-theoretic and differential-algebraic-geometric antecedents.

math.LO↗

arXiv2019

Internality of logarithmic-differential pullbacks

A criterion in the spirit of Rosenlicht is given, on the rational function f(x), for when the planar vector field defined by x'=f(x) and y'=xy admits a pair of algebraically independent first integrals over some extension of the base field. This proceeds from model-theoretic considerations by working in the theory of differentially closed fields of characteristic zero and asking: If D is a strongly minimal set on the affine line that is internal to the constants, when is the pullback of D under the logarithmic derivative itself internal to the constants?

math.LO↗