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While reading about Riemann surfaces I stumbled upon the following two definitions. A Riemann surface of a complete analytic function is an example of both definitions while Abstract Riemann Surface is a generalisation of both definitions. So it seems like every (non singular, concrete) Riemann surface can be considered as Riemann domain over $\mathbb C$ or maybe vice versa. But I am unable figure it out. I am also curious about the historical origins of these definitions.

Riemann surface:

A subset $S \subseteq \mathbb C^2$ is called a (non-singular, concrete) Riemann surface if for each point $s \in S$, there is a neighbourhood $U$ of $s$ and a holomorphic function $F$ on $U$ with non-zero gradient at $s$ such that $S \cap U$ is the zero set of $F$.

Riemann domain over $\mathbb C$:

A topological space (Hausdorff and connected) $G$ is called a Riemann domain over $\mathbb C$ if there exists a local homeomorphism map $\pi:G \to \mathbb C$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Hint: use the implicit function theorem $\endgroup$
    – Wojowu
    Oct 18, 2018 at 20:01
  • $\begingroup$ Implicit function theorem is local theorem, how can I use it to construct global map $\pi$? $\endgroup$
    – Mayuresh L
    Oct 18, 2018 at 20:04
  • $\begingroup$ Sorry, I misunderstood the definition. I thought we require there to be locally a homeomorphism between neighbourhoods (which is precisely what implicit function theorem would guarantee) $\endgroup$
    – Wojowu
    Oct 18, 2018 at 20:06
  • $\begingroup$ What are the sources of these definitions? $\endgroup$ Oct 24, 2018 at 10:55
  • $\begingroup$ Riemann surface definition is from Riemann surface notes by C. Teleman available online and Riemann domain definition is from SCV book by Narasimman/Fritsche and Grauert $\endgroup$
    – Mayuresh L
    Oct 24, 2018 at 11:27

1 Answer 1

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There are theorems of Gunning and Narasimhan (Gunning, R. C., and Raghavan Narasimhan. "Immersion of open Riemann surfaces." Mathematische Annalen 174.2 (1967): 103-108.) and a theorem of Narasimhan (Narasimhan, R. "Imbedding of open Riemann surfaces", Göttingen Nachrichten, No. 7 (1960), pp. 159-165; also see American Journal of Mathematics Vol. 82, No. 4 (Oct., 1960), pp. 917-934) that almost(!) demonstrate an equivalence.

The first paper proves (quoting from the paper):

Theorem: Any (connected) open Riemann surface $X$ admits a holomorphic immersion into the complex plane; that is, there is a holomorphic mapping $F:X\to\mathbb{C}$ which is a local homeomorphism.

In other words, given any surface $S$ as in the original post above there is a holomorphic mapping $F:S\to\mathbb{C}$ exhibiting it as a $G$ as in the original post.

In the second paper it is proved that (quoting from the third paper!) "any open Riemann surface has a non-singular imbedding in $\mathbb{C}^3$".

In general, going from $\mathbb{C}^3$ to $\mathbb{C}^2$ will introduce some singularities. So going back all the way to $\mathbb{C}^2$ may not be possible.

A possible reason for such a obstruction is given below, but it is not a counter-example until proven!

For example, a smooth compact Riemann surface of any genus has an embedding in $\mathbb{CP}^3$. However, a general smooth compact Riemann surface of genus 6 does not have an embedding in $\mathbb{CP}^2$.

One can produce curves of degree 6 in $\mathbb{CP}^2$ with 4 nodes whose desingularisations are compact Riemann surfaces of genus 6. The 4 nodes will (in general) not lie on a line, so one cannot get an open Riemann surface of the type above by removing a $\mathbb{CP}^1$. Note, however, that this is not a proof that it cannot be done since there are more holomorphic functions on an open Riemann surfaces than those obtained by restrictions of meromorphic algebraic functions on the compact one.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for the answer. Does first theorem also hold for abstract Riemann surface (i.e. 1 dimensional complex manifold)? $\endgroup$
    – Mayuresh L
    Oct 28, 2018 at 15:50
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    $\begingroup$ @MayureshL Yes. Any open connected 1 dimensional complex manifold. $\endgroup$
    – Kapil
    Oct 29, 2018 at 2:18
  • $\begingroup$ Ohh! Means studying open connected 1 dimensional complex manifold (i.e. open connected Abstract Riemann surface) is same as studying Riemann domain over $\mathbb C$ $\endgroup$
    – Mayuresh L
    Oct 30, 2018 at 7:34
  • $\begingroup$ The reverse direction question seems to be at a research level so I have asked it on MO as a new question. Hope that is OK with @MayureshL. $\endgroup$
    – Kapil
    Oct 30, 2018 at 9:04
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    $\begingroup$ I understood your comment. Indeed, all abstract open Riemann surfaces are of type $G$. The question of whether a $G$-type is also expressible as an $S$-type is the Bell-Narasimhan Conjecture according to answer I got on Math Overflow! $\endgroup$
    – Kapil
    Oct 30, 2018 at 12:06

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