C O L L O Q U I U M

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Transcendence properties of rational integrals

Professor G. Wüstholz

Eidgenössische TH Zürich-Zentrum, Switzerland

& HKUST, Hong Kong

Abstract

A conjecture of Arnold which goes back to a conjecture of Leibniz says that rational integrals of holomorphic 1-forms on an algebraic variety taken between two algebraic points are transcendental. The origin of this conjecture is a lemma in Newton's Principia for which Leibniz gave a counter example. We shall discuss the conjecture, put it into a more precise form and state a result which gives the conjecture. We shall then explain what is known for forms of higher degree and briefly discuss a conjecture of Grothendieck on the transcendence degree of fields generated by periods of 1-forms over the rationals.

Date:	May 19, 2006 (Friday)
Time:	4:00 – 5:00pm
Place:	Room 517, Meng Wah Complex, HKU

Tea will be held in Room 516, Meng Wah Complex at 3:40pm

All are welcome