## Number Theory Seminar: Tom Scanlon

• Date: 01/12/2012
• Time: 15:00
Lecturer(s):
Tom Scanlon,  UC Berkley
Location:

University of British Columbia

Topic:

p-independent bounds in the positive characteristic Mordell-Lang problem (part 1)

p-independent bounds in the positive characteristic Mordell-Lang problem (part 2)

Description:

AbstractThe usual Mordell-Lang conjecture, a theorem of Faltings, asserts that if A is an abelian variety over C, \Gamma < A(C) is a finitely generated subgroup, and X \subseteq A is a closed subvariety, then X(C) \cap \Gamma is a finite union of cosets of subgroups of \Gamma.  If one were to ask instead that A be defined over a field K of positive characteristic, then such a conclusion cannot hold in general as if A were defined over a finite field, F: A \to A were the associate Frobenius morphism, X \subseteq A were defined over the same finite field, and P \in Y(K) \cap \Gamma, then { Fn(P): n \in N } \subseteqY(K) \cap \Gamma.  Other anomalous intersections may arise as sums of such orbits. Some years ago, in joint work with Moosa, I showed that these are essentially the only counterexamples to a na&iuml;ve translation of the Mordell-Lang conjecture to semiabelian varieties defined over a finite field.   Our proof which was long but elementary yields bounds which explicitly depend on the characteristic.  In these lectures, I shall explain how to deduce characteristic independent bounds from a differential algebraic argument.

Schedule:

3:00-5:00pm in WMAX 216 (Time and location subject to change)

Other Information:

For other information, please visit the Math Department website: http://www.math.ubc.ca/Dept/Events/index.shtml?period=future&series=69.