Model theory of special subvarieties and Schanuel-type conjectures

We use the language and tools available in model theory to redefine and clarify the rather involved notion of a {\em special subvariety} known from the theory of Shimura varieties (mixed and pure)

Special subvarieties of non-arithmetic ball quotients and Hodge Theory

Let $\Gamma \subset \operatorname{PU}(1,n)$ be a lattice, and $S_\Gamma$ the associated ball quotient. We prove that, if $S_\Gamma$ contains infinitely many maximal totally geodesic subvarieties, then $\Gamma$ is arithmetic. We also prove an Ax-Schanuel Conjecture for $S_\Gamma$, similar to the one recently proven by Mok, Pila and Tsimerman. One of the main ingredients in the proofs is to realise $S_\Gamma$ inside a period domain for polarised integral variations of Hodge structures and interpret totally geodesic subvarieties as unlikely intersections

Applications of the hyperbolic Ax-Schanuel conjecture

In 2014, Pila and Tsimerman gave a proof of the Ax-Schanuel conjecture for the j- function and, with Mok, have recently announced a proof of its generalization to any (pure) Shimura variety. We refer to this generalization as the hyperbolic Ax-Schanuel conjecture. In this article, we show that the hyperbolic Ax-Schanuel conjecture can be used to reduce the Zilber-Pink conjecture for Shimura varieties to a problem of point counting. We further show that this point counting problem can be tackled in a number of cases using the Pila- Wilkie counting theorem and several arithmetic conjectures. Our methods are inspired by previous applications of the Pila-Zannier method and, in particular, the recent proof by Habegger and Pila of the Zilber-Pink conjecture for curves in abelian varieties

The theory of the exponential differential equations of semiabelian varieties

The complete first order theories of the exponential differential equations of semiabelian varieties are given. It is shown that these theories also arises from an amalgamation-with-predimension construction in the style of Hrushovski. The theory includes necessary and sufficient conditions for a system of equations to have a solution. The necessary condition generalizes Ax's differential fields version of Schanuel's conjecture to semiabelian varieties. There is a purely algebraic corollary, the "Weak CIT" for semiabelian varieties, which concerns the intersections of algebraic subgroups with algebraic varieties.Comment: 53 pages; v3: Substantial changes, including a completely new introductio

Ax-Schanuel for Shimura varieties

We prove the Ax-Schanuel theorem for a general (pure) Shimura variety