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# Multiple points of immersions

## 1. Introduction

Let $`V^n`$ and $`M^m`$ be smooth manifolds without boundary, and $`V^n`$ be compact. We will call an immersion $`VM`$ by $`k`$-immersion, if it has no $`k`$-to-$`1`$ points. Then $`2`$-immersions $`VM`$ are exactly embeddings $`VM`$. Consider the following question. Given manifolds $`V^n`$, $`M^m`$ and integer $`k>1`$, do they admit a $`k`$-immersion $`VM`$? Note that if $`(k+1)n<km`$, then any generic immersion $`VM`$ is a $`(k+1)`$-immersion. The problem of existence of an immersion $`VM`$ was solved by Hirsch \[Hir\]. He proved that regular homotopy classes of immersions $`VM`$ are in 1-to-1 correspondence with classes of linear monomorphisms of tangent bundles of $`\tau V\tau M`$. So, the natural problem would be to find out if a given regular homotopy class of immersions $`V^nM^m`$ contains a $`k`$-immersion, provided $`(k+1)n<km`$. Without loss of generality we can assume that $`M`$ is connected.

For the case $`k=2`$, under a little bit stronger restrictions $`3(n+1)2m`$, in 1962 Haefliger gave complete answer whenever it is possible \[Hae\]. Haefliger’s method generalizes the original purely geometric idea of Whitney \[Wh\] of eliminating double points of immersion. A decade later, in 1974, Hatcher and Quinn \[HQ\] rewrote the the Haefliger’s reasonings in the ”right” language of bordism theory. In 1982 Szücs \[Sz 82\] gave a new proof of Haefliger’s theorem in the special case $`M^m=^m`$ using the ideas of theory of singularities. Szücs informed us that he was trying to apply his method for $`k>2`$. In the present paper we generalize the ideas from \[HQ\] and in the range $`(k+1)(n+1)km`$ give the complete answer whenever a given regular homotopy class of immersions $`V^nM^m`$ contains a $`k`$-immersion.

For a generic immersion $`f:V^nM^m`$, its set of $`k`$-fold points is itself an immersed manifold $`\overline{}(f^{(k)})M`$. This immersed manifold, together with some additional structure in normal bundle of this immersion, define an element $`b(f^{(k)})`$ in certain bordism group $`\mathrm{\Omega }=\mathrm{\Omega }_{kn(k1)m}(E_k;\xi (f))`$. Both the group $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and the element $`b(f^{(k)})\mathrm{\Omega }`$ depend only on the regular homotopy class of $`f`$ (see Theorem 3.1). If $`(k+1)(n+1)km`$, then the converse is true (Theorem 3.2). Namely, if $`N`$ is another $`(kn(k1)m)`$-dimensional manifold, which represents the same element $`[N]=b(f^{(k)})\mathrm{\Omega }`$, then there exists an immersion $`f_1`$, regularly homotopic to $`f`$, such that $`\overline{}(f_1^{(k)})=N`$.

Suppose $`f:V^{(k1)r}M^{kr}`$ is a generic immersion. Then the manifold of $`k`$-fold points of $`f`$ is zero-dimensional. If $`V,M`$ are oriented and $`r`$ is even, to each $`k`$-fold point $`xM`$ of $`f`$ we can attach a sign. Since $`V,M`$ are oriented, the normal bundle of the immersion $`f`$ is oriented. Since $`r`$ is even, the orientation of the normal spaces to $`k`$ ”sheets” of $`V`$, intersecting at $`x`$, gives an orientation of the tangent space $`\tau _xM`$. We put sign ”$`+`$” if this orientation coincides with the orientation of $`M`$, and ”$``$” otherwise. Define $`I(f)`$ as the number of $`k`$-fold points, counted with signs. If either $`V^{(k1)r}`$ or $`M^{kr}`$ is not orientable, or $`r`$ is odd, define $`I(f)_2`$ as the number of $`k`$-fold points modulo 2.

###### Corollary 1.1.

Let $`V^{(k1)r},M^{kr}`$ be connected smooth manifolds without boundary, $`V`$ is compact, $`M`$ is simply connected, and $`r>k`$. Then a generic immersion $`f:VM`$ is regularly homotopic to a $`k`$-immersion iff $`I(f)=0`$.

###### Corollary 1.2.

Let $`V^{(k1)r}`$ be a smooth compact orientable manifold without boundary, and $`r>k`$ are odd integers. Then any immersion $`f:V^{kr}`$ is regularly homotopic to a $`k`$-immersion.

A map $`f:VM`$ is called a ”topological immersion”, if for any point $`xV`$ there exists an open neighborhood $`U_xx`$ such that for any $`y_1y_2U_x`$ we have $`f(y_1)f(y_2)`$.

###### Corollary 1.3.

Let $`V^n,M^m`$ be smooth manifolds without boundary, $`V^n`$ be compact, $`f:VM`$ be an immersion, and $`(k+1)(n+1)km`$. Then $`f`$ is regularly homotopic to a $`k`$-immersion iff there exists a ”regular homotopy” of $`f`$ through topological immersions to a map without $`k`$-fold points.

The main problem of constructing the desired regular homotopy virtually splits into two parts: geometrical and combinatorial. The first part deals with construction of this regular homotopy locally. The second part, which in general turns out to be harder, deals with the fact that the natural $`k`$-fold covering map $`\stackrel{~}{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}\overline{}(f^{(k)})`$ can be non-trivial. In the section 2 we restrict ourselves to the case, then the second part is trivial. Namely, we try to figure out whenever immersions of $`k`$ different manifolds $`f_1:V_1M,\mathrm{},f_k:V_kM`$ can be regularly homotoped to immersions without common intersection.

###### Corollary 1.4.

Let $`V_i^{n_i}`$, $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$ and $`M^m`$ be smooth $`C^{\mathrm{}}`$ manifolds without boundary, all $`V_i`$ are compact, $`2(p+1)<n_i<mpk`$ for all $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$, and $`2(p+k)<m`$, where $`p=n_1+\mathrm{}+n_k(k1)m`$. Suppose $`f_i:V_iM`$ are smooth immersions. Then the immersions $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$ are regularly homotopic to immersions without common intersection iff $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$ can be continuously homotoped to continuous maps with empty common intersection.

###### Corollary 1.5.

Let $`V_i^{n_i}`$, $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$ and $`M^m`$ be smooth $`C^{\mathrm{}}`$ manifolds without boundary, all $`V_i`$ are compact, $`2(p+1)<n_i<mpk`$ for all $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$, and $`2(p+k)<m`$, where $`p=n_1+\mathrm{}+n_k(k1)m`$. Suppose $`p\{4,5,12\}`$, all $`V_i`$ are $`p`$-connected, and $`M`$ is $`(p+1)`$-connected. Then any immersions $`f_i:V_iM`$ can be regularly homotoped to immersions without common intersection.

## 2. Simple case: mutual intersections of $`k`$ manifolds

Let $`T`$ be $`(k1)`$-dimensional simplex, $`\sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma _k`$ be its vertices and $`\sigma `$ be its barycenter. For any topological spaces $`V_1,V_2,\mathrm{},V_k,M`$ and continuous maps $`f_1:V_1M,\mathrm{},f_k:V_kM`$, consider the space

$$E=E(f_1,\mathrm{},f_k)=\{(x_1,\mathrm{},x_k,\theta )x_iV_i\text{ and }\theta :TM\text{ such that }\theta (\sigma _i)=f_i(x_i)\}$$

Then there are obvious projections $`\pi _i:EV_i`$ and $`\pi :E\{\theta :TM\}`$. The map $`\mathrm{\Phi }:E\times TM`$, defined by $`(e,t)\pi (e)(t)`$, where $`eE`$ and $`tT`$, makes the diagram below homotopy commutative

The space $`E`$ is universal in the following sense. If we are given a space $`X`$, maps $`h_i:XV_i`$, and a homotopy $`H:X\times TM`$ such that $`H(,\sigma _i)=f_ih_i`$ (which connects all $`f_ih_i`$ with some map $`H(,\sigma )`$), then there is a unique map $`j:XE`$ such that $`H(x,t)=\mathrm{\Phi }(j(x),t)`$, which is defined by $`j(x)=(h_1(x),\mathrm{},h_k(x),H(x,))`$.

### 2.1. Bordism group

From now, suppose all $`V_i`$ and $`M`$ are smooth $`C^{\mathrm{}}`$ manifolds without boundary and $`V_i`$ are compact. Denote by $`\nu _{V_i}`$ normal bundles over $`V_i`$, and by $`\tau _M`$ the tangent bundle over $`M`$. Over $`E`$, consider the bundle $`\xi =\pi _1^{}(\nu _{V_1}f_1^{}\tau _M)\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}(\nu _{V_k}f_k^{}\tau _M)\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )^{}\nu _M`$. Define the bordism group $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E;\xi )`$, whose objects are tuples $`(N^p,\nu _N,\gamma ,\omega _N)`$, where $`N`$ is a compact manifold without boundary, $`\nu _N`$ is a normal bundle over $`N`$, $`\gamma :NE`$ is a map, and $`\omega _N:\nu _N\stackrel{}{}\gamma ^{}\xi `$ is a stable isomorphism. Note that this group depends only on the homotopy classes of $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$. By Pontryagin-Thom construction, $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E;\xi )=lim_s\mathrm{}\pi _{p+dim\xi +s}T(\xi \epsilon ^s)`$, where $`T`$ denotes the Thom space, and $`\epsilon `$ is the trivial bundle.

Denote by $`\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$ the diagonal $`\{(x,\mathrm{},x)M^{(k)}xM\}`$. If the map $`f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k:V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_kM^{(k)}`$ is smooth and transversal to the diagonal $`\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$, then we say ”the maps $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$ are transversal” and denote the manifold $`(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k`$ by $`\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)`$. Since all $`V_i`$ are compact, $`\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)`$ is also compact. Note that the notion for maps $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$ to be transversal is generic, and any kit of maps $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$ can be approximated by a transversal one.

###### Theorem 2.1.

Suppose $`V_1,\mathrm{},V_k,M`$ are smooth $`C^{\mathrm{}}`$ manifolds without boundary, $`V_1,\mathrm{},V_k`$ are compact, and the maps $`f_i:V_iM`$, $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$ are continuous. Then this defines a canonical element $`b(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)\mathrm{\Omega }_{}(E(f_1,\mathrm{},f_k);\xi )`$. This element depends only on the homotopy classes of $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$.

###### Theorem 2.2.

Let $`V_i^{n_i}`$, $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$ and $`M^m`$ be smooth $`C^{\mathrm{}}`$ manifolds without boundary, all $`V_i`$ are compact, $`2(p+1)<n_i<mpk`$ for all $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$, and $`2(p+k)<m`$, where $`p=n_1+\mathrm{}+n_k(k1)m`$. Suppose $`f_i:V_iM`$ are smooth immersions. Let $`\gamma :N^pE`$ be a singular manifold, and $`\omega _N:\nu _N\stackrel{}{}\gamma ^{}\xi `$ be a stable isomorphism such that $`[N]=b(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E;\xi )`$. Then there exists a regular homotopy of the immersions $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$ to transversal immersions $`f_1^{},\mathrm{},f_k^{}`$ such that $`\overline{}(f_1^{}\times \mathrm{}\times f_k^{})=N`$.

## 3. General case: $`k`$-fold self-intersections

Let $`V`$ and $`M`$ be topological spaces and $`f:VM`$ be a continuous map. The group $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ of permutations on $`k`$ elements $`\{1,\mathrm{},k\}`$ acts on the $`(k1)`$-simplex $`T`$ linearly, permuting its vertices $`\sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma _k`$. Note that the only fixed point for this action is the barycenter $`\sigma `$ of $`T`$. Take $`k`$ copies of the manifold $`V`$ and enumerate them by $`1\mathrm{}k`$ in arbitrary way $`V_1,\mathrm{},V_k`$. Consider the space

$$\widehat{E_k}=\widehat{E_k}(f)=\{(x_1,\mathrm{},x_k,\theta )x_iV_i,x_ix_j\text{ for }ij\text{, and }\theta :TM\text{ such that }\theta (\sigma _i)=f(x_i)\}$$

Define the action of element $`g\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ on $`\widehat{E_k}`$ by the formula $`g(x_1,\mathrm{},x_k,\theta )=(x_{g^1(1)},\mathrm{},x_{g^1(k)},\theta g^1)`$. Note that this action is free. Put $`E_k=\widehat{E_k}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$. Define the projections $`\pi _i:\widehat{E_k}V`$ and $`\pi :\widehat{E_k}\{\theta :TM\}`$ by the formulas $`\pi _i(x_1,\mathrm{},x_k,\theta )=x_i`$ and $`\pi (x_1,\mathrm{},x_k,\theta )=\theta `$. It is easy to see, the map $`\mathrm{\Phi }:\widehat{E_k}\times TM`$, defined by $`(e,t)\pi (e)(t)`$, is $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant with respect to the diagonal $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action on $`\widehat{E_k}\times T`$. Therefore the map $`\varphi :E_kM`$ is well-defined by the formula $`[e]\mathrm{\Phi }(e,\sigma )`$. Note that the homotopy types of $`\widehat{E_k}`$ and $`E_k`$ depend only on the homotopy class of $`f`$.

The space $`\widehat{E_k}`$ is universal in the following sense. For any space $`X`$ with a free $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action denote by $`X_{(i)}`$ the quotion space $`X/\mathrm{\Sigma }_{k1}^i`$, where $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_{k1}^i\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ is the stabilizer of the element $`i`$. Denote by $`\pi _i^{}:XX_{(i)}`$ and by $`\pi ^{}:XX/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ the natural projections. Denote by $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_{k1}^i(x)`$ the orbit of $`xX`$ under $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_{k1}^i`$-action. Note that $`g(\mathrm{\Sigma }_{k1}^i(x))=\mathrm{\Sigma }_{k1}^{g(i)}(g(x))`$. So, for any $`g\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ the map $`g:X_{(i)}X_{(g(i))}`$ is well-defined, and it is identity if $`g=1\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$.

Suppose, we are given the following data:

* a space $`X`$ with a free $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action
* a map $`h:X/\mathrm{\Sigma }_kM`$
* maps $`h_i:X_{(i)}V_i(V)`$ such that $`h_{g(i)}g=h_i`$ for any $`g\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$, and $`h_i\pi _i^{}(x)h_j\pi _j^{}(x)`$ for $`xX`$ and $`ij`$
* a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant homotopy $`H:X\times TM`$ such that $`H(,\sigma )=h\pi ^{}`$ and $`H(,\sigma _i)=fh_i\pi _i^{}`$

Then there is a unique $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariant map $`\widehat{ȷ}:X\widehat{E_k}`$ such that $`H(x,t)=\mathrm{\Phi }(\widehat{ȷ}(x),t)`$, which is defined by $`\widehat{ȷ}(x)=(h_1\pi _1^{}(x),\mathrm{},h_k\pi _k^{}(x),H(x,))`$. Now we can get rid of the ambiguity of the choice of enumeration $`V_1,\mathrm{},V_k`$. Clearly, if we will take another enumeration, which differs from the original one by $`g\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$, then the ”classifying map” $`\widehat{ȷ}`$ will become $`\widehat{ȷ}g=g\widehat{ȷ}`$. Thus, all the information about $`X`$ is actually equivalent to a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-orbit of $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariant maps $`\widehat{ȷ}:X\widehat{E_k}`$. Since $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-actions on $`X`$ and $`\widehat{E_k}`$ are free, this is equivalent to the map $`j:=\widehat{ȷ}/_{\mathrm{\Sigma }_k}:X/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k\widehat{E_k}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k=E_k`$.

### 3.1. Bordism group

From now, suppose $`V^n`$ and $`M^m`$ are smooth $`C^{\mathrm{}}`$ manifolds without boundary, $`V`$ is compact. Let $`f:VM`$ be an immersion. Denote by $`\nu _f=\nu _f(V,M)`$ the normal bundle over $`V`$, induced by the immersion $`f`$, and by $`\nu _M`$ a normal bundle over $`M`$. Over $`\widehat{E_k}`$, consider the bundle $`\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f`$. Define the $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action in the total space of this bundle by $`g(e,\stackrel{}{v}_1,\mathrm{},\stackrel{}{v}_k)=(g(e),\stackrel{}{v}_{g^1(1)},\mathrm{},\stackrel{}{v}_{g^1(k)})`$. Since this action covers the $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action on $`\widehat{E_k}`$, this gives a well-defined vector bundle $`(\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ over $`E_k=\widehat{E_k}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$. Note that the structural group of the last bundle is $`O(mn)\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ (see \[AE, KS\] for details). As a set, $`O(mn)\mathrm{\Sigma }_k=O(mn)^{(k)}\times \mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$, and the multiplication is defined by $`(A_1,\mathrm{},A_k,\sigma )(B_1,\mathrm{},B_k,\tau )=(A_1B_{\sigma ^1(1)},\mathrm{},A_kB_{\sigma ^1(k)},\sigma \tau )`$. Over $`E_k`$, consider the bundle $`\xi =\xi (f)=(\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k\varphi ^{}\nu _M`$. Its structural group is $`O(mn)\mathrm{\Sigma }_kO`$. Denote $`p=kn(k1)m`$. Define the bordism group $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi )`$, whose objects are tuples $`(N^p,\nu _N,\gamma ,\omega _N)`$, where $`N`$ is a compact manifold without boundary, $`\nu _N`$ is a normal bundle over $`N`$, $`\gamma :NE_k`$ is a map, and $`\omega _N:\nu _N\stackrel{}{}\gamma ^{}\xi `$ is a stable isomorphism. Note that the bundle $`\nu _f`$, and, therefore, the group $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi (f))`$, depend only on the regular homotopy class of $`f`$. By Pontryagin-Thom construction, $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi )=lim_s\mathrm{}\pi _{p+dim\xi +s}T(\xi \epsilon ^s)`$, where $`T`$ denotes the Thom space, and $`\epsilon `$ is the trivial bundle.

Denote by $`\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$ the diagonal $`\{(x_1,\mathrm{},x_k)V^{(k)}x_ix_j\text{ for }ij\}`$. Note that in the important special case $`M^m=^m`$ the space $`E_k`$ reduces to $`kn`$-dimensional manifold $`(V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$, and $`\xi `$ reduces to the bundle $`\nu _{f^{(k)}}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$.

We say that a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariant map $`F:V^{(k)}M^{(k)}`$ is $`k`$-disjoint”, if $`F^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$ is disjoint from $`\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$. Note that for any topological immersion $`f:VM`$, the map $`f^{(k)}`$ is $`k`$-disjoint. We say that a $`k`$-disjoint map $`F`$ is $`k`$-transversal”, if either $`F^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2=\mathrm{}`$, or the map $`F|_{V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2}`$ is smooth and transversal to $`\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$. By equivariant transversality theorem \[GG\], for a generic smooth immersion $`f:VM`$, the map $`f^{(k)}`$ is $`k`$-transversal. Denote the manifold $`F^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$ by $`\widehat{\overline{}(F)}`$. Since $`V^{(k)}`$ is compact and $`\widehat{\overline{}(F)}`$ is disjoint from $`\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$, the manifold $`\widehat{\overline{}(F)}`$ is also compact. Since $`\widehat{\overline{}(F)}`$ is the intersection of $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant set $`V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$ with the preimage of $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariant map $`F:V^{(k)}M^{(k)}`$ of the $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant set $`\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$, it is invariant under $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action on $`V^{(k)}`$. Since the $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action on $`V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$ is free, its restriction on $`\widehat{\overline{}(F)}`$ is also free. Denote $`\overline{}(F)=\widehat{\overline{}(F)}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$. Note that if $`f:VM`$ is a generic immersion, then $`\overline{}(f^{(k)})M`$ is the locus of its $`k`$-fold points.

###### Theorem 3.1.

Suppose $`V^n,M^m`$ are smooth $`C^{\mathrm{}}`$ manifolds without boundary, $`V`$ is compact, and $`F:V^{(k)}M^{(k)}`$ is a $`k`$-transversal map, $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariantly homotopic to to $`f^{(k)}`$ for some immersion $`f:VM`$. Then $`\overline{}(F)`$ defines a canonical element $`b(F)\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi (f))`$. This element depends only on the $`k`$-disjoint homotopy class of $`F`$.

Note that for an immersion $`f:VM`$, the element $`b(f^{(k)})\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi (f))`$ is well-defined even if $`f^{(k)}`$ is not $`k`$-transversal. Indeed, let $`f_1`$ be an immersion, regularly homotopic to $`f`$, such that $`f_1^{(k)}`$ is $`k`$-transversal. From the second part of Theorem 3.1 it follows that $`b(f_1^{(k)})`$ doesn’t depend on the choice of $`f_1`$. Put $`b(f^{(k)})=b(f_1^{(k)})\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi (f))`$.

###### Theorem 3.2.

Let $`V^n,M^m`$ be smooth $`C^{\mathrm{}}`$ manifolds without boundary, $`V`$ be compact, $`(k+1)(n+1)km`$, and $`f:VM`$ be an immersion. Let $`\gamma :N^pE_k`$ be a singular manifold, and $`\omega _N:\nu _N\stackrel{}{}\gamma ^{}\xi `$ be a stable isomorphism such that $`[N]=b(f^{(k)})\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi (f))`$. Then there exists a regular homotopy of the immersion $`f`$ to an immersion $`f_1`$ such that $`f_1^{(k)}`$ is $`k`$-transversal and $`N=\overline{}(f_1^{(k)})`$.

## 4. Proofs of Corollaries

###### Proof of Corollary 1.1.

Note that $`\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k:\widehat{E_k}V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$ is a Serre fibration with the fiber, homotopy equivalent to $`F=\{\theta :TM\theta (\sigma _i)=\}`$, where $`M`$ is a base point. In $`T`$, consider $`1`$-dimensional subcomplex $`T_1`$, consisting of vertices $`\sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma _k`$ and $`(k1)`$ edges $`\sigma _1\sigma _2,\mathrm{},\sigma _1\sigma _k`$. Since $`T_1`$ is a deformation retract of $`T`$, the space $`F`$ is homotopy equivalent to $`F_1=\{\theta :T_1M\theta (\sigma _i)=\}=(\mathrm{\Omega }M)^{(k1)}`$. Since $`M`$ is $`1`$-connected, then the loopspace $`\mathrm{\Omega }M`$ is connected. Since $`V`$ is connected and $`codim_{V^{(k)}}(\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2)=n>1`$, then $`V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$ is connected. Hence $`\widehat{E_k}`$ and $`E_k=\widehat{E_k}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ are connected.

Since $`M`$ is $`1`$-connected, then $`\varphi ^{}\nu _M`$ is always orientable. Therefore $`\xi =(\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k\varphi ^{}\nu _M`$ is orientable iff $`(\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ is orientable. Suppose $`V`$ is orientable and $`(mn)`$ is even. Then $`\nu _f`$ is orientable, fix its orientation. Then $`\pi _i^{}\nu _f`$ are oriented. Since $`(mn)`$ is even, the $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action on $`\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f`$ preserves orientation. Hence $`(\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ is orientable.

Suppose $`V`$ is orientable and $`(mn)`$ is odd. Then $`\nu _f`$ is orientable, fix its orientation. Then $`\pi _i^{}\nu _f`$ are oriented. Choose points $`b_0,b_1\widehat{E_k}`$ such that $`g(b_0)=b_1`$, where $`g\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ is an odd permutation. Since $`\widehat{E_k}`$ is connected, there exists a path $`b:[0,1]\widehat{E_k}`$ such that $`b(0)=b_0,b(1)=b_1`$. Then the projection of $`b_t`$ into $`E_k`$ defines a loop. Since $`r`$ is odd and $`g`$ is odd, then the restriction of $`(\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ on this loop is non-orientable.

Suppose $`V`$ is non-orientable. Then $`\nu _f`$ is non-orientable. Choose a loop $`c:[0,1]V`$ such that the restriction of $`\nu _f`$ on $`c_t`$ in non-orientable. Choose points $`c_2,\mathrm{},c_kV`$ such that $`c_ic_j`$ if $`ij`$, and $`c_ic(t)`$ for all $`t[0,1]`$. This defines a loop $`C:[0,1]V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$ via $`C(t)=(c(t),c_2,\mathrm{},c_k)`$. Since $`\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k:\widehat{E_k}V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$ is a Serre fibration with connected fiber, then there exists a loop $`B:[0,1]\widehat{E_k}`$ such that $`\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _kB_tC_t`$. Then the projection of the loop $`B_t`$ into $`E_k`$ defines a loop, along which $`(\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ is non-orientable.

Choose a base point $`E_k`$. Since $`E_k`$ is connected, any map of a $`0`$-dimensional manifold $`\gamma :N^0E_k`$ can be homotoped to the constant map $`N^0`$. Since the orthogonal group $`O`$ has two connected components, then a two-point singular manifold $`\{a_1,a_2\}`$ bounds iff the orientations of normal bundles of $`a_1,a_2`$ at $``$ are opposite. Suppose the bundle $`\xi `$ is orientable. Fix its orientation. Then the orientation of the normal bundle of $`a_1`$ at $``$ does not depend on the choice of homotopy $`\gamma (N^0)`$. Therefore the bordism class of a singular manifold $`\gamma :N^0E_k`$ is completely characterized by the number $`l_1l_2`$, where $`l_1`$ is the number of points in $`N^0`$, whose orientation coincides with the orientation of $`\xi `$, and $`l_2`$ — with opposite orientation. Hence $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0(E_k;\xi )=`$. If $`\xi `$ is non-orientable, then any singular manifold $`a`$ is bordant to itself with opposite orientation via a loop, that changes the orientation of $`\xi `$. Therefore $`\mathrm{\Omega }_0(E_k;\xi )=_2`$. It is easy to see that the invariant $`b(f^{(k)})\mathrm{\Omega }_0(E_k;\xi )`$ coincides with $`I(f)`$. Since $`r>k`$, then $`(k+1)((k1)r+1)k^2r`$. Then Corollary 1.1 follows from Theorems 3.1 and 3.2. ∎

###### Proof of Corollary 1.2.

WLOG we may assume that $`V`$ is connected. By Corollary 1.1, it suffices to show that the number of $`k`$-fold points of any generic immersion $`V^{kr}`$ is even. This is exactly the result of \[Sz 90\]. ∎

###### Proof of Corollary 1.3.

Let $`f_t:VM,t[0,1]`$ be a topological regular homotopy, $`f_0=f`$ and $`f_1`$ has no $`k`$-to-$`1`$ points. Then $`f_t^{(k)}`$ is a $`k`$-disjoint homotopy from $`f^{(k)}`$ to a map $`f_1^{(k)}`$ such that $`(f_1^{(k)})^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2=\mathrm{}`$. Then by Theorem 3.1, the class $`b(f^{(k)})=0\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi )`$, and Theorem 3.2 gives the desired regular homotopy. ∎

###### Proof of Corollary 1.4.

follows immediately from Theorem 2.1 and Theorem 2.2. ∎

###### Proof of Corollary 1.5.

As we saw above, $`EV_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k`$ is a Serre fibration with fiber, homotopy equivalent to $`(\mathrm{\Omega }M)^{(k1)}`$. Since all $`V_i`$ are $`p`$-connected and $`M`$ is $`(p+1)`$-connected, then $`E`$ is $`p`$-connected. Then any map $`\gamma :N^pE`$, representing a bordism class $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E;\xi )`$, is null-homotopic. Therefore $`\nu _N`$ is trivial, and, by Pontryagin-Thom construction, $`(N,\omega _N)`$ represents an element of $`p`$-th stable homotopy group of spheres. Since this group vanishes for $`p\{4,5,12\}`$, then $`(N,\omega _N)=0`$. Therefore $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E;\xi )=0`$, and by Theorem 2.2, any immersions $`f_i:V_iM`$ are regularly homotopic to immersions without common intersection. ∎

## 5. Proofs of Theorems

###### Proof of Theorem 2.1.

First, suppose the maps $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$ are transversal. Then there are obvious projections $`h_i:\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)V_i`$ such that all $`f_ih_i`$ are connected by constant homotopy. By universal property of $`E(f_1,\mathrm{},f_k)`$, there is a canonical map $`j:\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)E`$. Denote by $`\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)})`$ the normal bundle of $`\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$ in $`M^{(k)}`$. By construction of $`\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)`$, the normal bundle $`\nu (\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k),V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k)`$ is $`(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)^{}\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)})j^{}(f_1\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k\pi _k)^{}\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)})j^{}(f_1\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k\pi _k)^{}(\tau _{M^{(k)}}\nu _{\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k})`$. But $`(f_1\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k\pi _k)j=D\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )j`$, where $`D:M\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$ is the diffeomorphism $`x(x,\mathrm{},x)`$. Then $`\nu _{\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)}=\nu _{V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k}|_{\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)}\nu (\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k),V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k)j^{}(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k)^{}(\nu _{V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k})j^{}(f_1\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k\pi _k)^{}\tau _{M^{(k)}}j^{}\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )^{}\nu _M=j^{}\xi `$. Thus the map $`j:\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)E`$ defines an element $`b(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E;\xi )`$.

Now, suppose we have a kit of homotopies $`f_{1,t},\mathrm{},f_{k,t}`$, $`t[0,1]`$, such that the kits $`f_{1,0},\mathrm{},f_{k,0}`$ and $`f_{1,1},\mathrm{},f_{k,1}`$ are transversal. Then it can be approximated by a new one such that $`F=f_{1,}\times \mathrm{}\times f_{k,}:V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k\times [0,1]M^{(k)}`$ is transversal to $`\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$ and is left fixed on both ends $`t=0,1`$ (where we already have transversality). Let the manifold $`W=F^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)`$. Then $`W=\overline{}(f_{1,0}\times \mathrm{}\times f_{k,0})\overline{}(f_{1,1}\times \mathrm{}\times f_{k,1})`$.

Denote by $`t:V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k\times [0,1][0,1]`$ the projection on the last factor. Here we again have obvious projections $`\stackrel{~}{h}_i:WV_i`$ such that $`f_{i,0}\stackrel{~}{h}_i`$ are homotopic to $`D^1F=f_{i,t()}(h_i())`$ by homotopy $`xf_{i,t(x)t^{}}(h_i(x))`$, $`t^{}[0,1]`$. This gives a homotopy $`H:W\times T^1M`$, where $`T^1`$ is the $`1`$-dimensional subcomplex of $`T`$, consisting of vertices $`\sigma ,\sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma _k`$ and straight intervals $`\sigma \sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma \sigma _k`$. Since there exists a canonical conical retraction of $`T`$ onto $`T^1`$, there is a canonical extension of $`H`$ to a homotopy $`H:W\times TM`$. By universal property of $`E`$, this gives a canonical map $`J:WE`$.

The normal bundle $`\nu (W,V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k\times [0,1])`$ is $`F^{}\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)})(F(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k\times t)J)^{}\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)})J^{}(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k\times t)^{}F^{}(\tau _{M^{(k)}}\nu _{\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k})`$. But $`F(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k\times t)J=D\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )J`$. Note that $`(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k\times tJ)^{}(\nu _{V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k\times [0,1]})(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _kJ)^{}(\nu _{V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k})`$ and $`(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k\times tJ)^{}F^{}\tau _{M^{(k)}}(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _kJ)^{}(f_{1,0}\times \mathrm{}\times f_{k,0})^{}\tau _{M^{(k)}}`$. Then $`\nu _W=\nu _{V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k\times [0,1]}|_W\nu (W,V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k\times [0,1])J^{}(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k\times t)^{}(\nu _{V_1\times \mathrm{}\times V_k\times [0,1]})J^{}(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k\times t)^{}F^{}\tau _{M^{(k)}}J^{}\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )^{}\nu _MJ^{}\xi `$. So, $`J:WE`$ gives a bordism between $`b(f_{1,0}\times \mathrm{}\times f_{k,0})`$ and $`b(f_{1,1}\times \mathrm{}\times f_{k,1})`$ in $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E(f_1,\mathrm{},f_k);\xi )`$.

Finally, recall that any kit of maps $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$ can be approximated by a transversal kit $`f_1^{},\mathrm{},f_k^{}`$, homotopic to $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$. Define $`b(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k):=b(f_1^{}\times \mathrm{}\times f_k^{})`$. The second half of the theorem shows, that it does not depend on the choice of the transversal approximation $`f_1^{},\mathrm{},f_k^{}`$. ∎

###### Proof of Theorem 2.2.

First, make a small regular perturbation of the immersions $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$ to put them into general position. By Theorem 2.1 it will not change the class $`b(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E;\xi )`$. Now the immersions $`f_1,\mathrm{},f_k`$ are transversal, and the manifold $`\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)`$ is defined. Since $`2p<n_i<m`$ for all $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$, by general position we may assume that $`\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)`$ is embedded into each $`V_i`$ and into $`M`$. Since $`n_i<mp`$, we have $`2n_im+(n_1+\mathrm{}+\widehat{n_i}+\mathrm{}+n_k(k2)m)<m`$ for all $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$. This means that by general position we may assume that $`(2n_im)`$-dimensional manifold of self-intersections of $`f_i:V_iM`$ is disjoint from $`(n_1+\mathrm{}+\widehat{n_i}+\mathrm{}+n_k(k2)m)`$-dimensional immersed manifold of mutual intersections of $`f(V_1),\mathrm{},\widehat{f_i(V_i)},\mathrm{},f_k(V_k)`$ in $`M^m`$.

Let $`J:W^{p+1}E`$ be the bordism between $`\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)`$ and $`N`$ in $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E;\xi )`$. Define the map $`H:W\times TM`$ by the formula $`H(w,t)=\mathrm{\Phi }(J(w),t)`$. Note that $`H(W,\sigma _i)f_i(V_i)`$ and $`H|_{\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)}`$ is a constant homotopy.

Since for all $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$ we have $`2(p+1)<n_i<m(p+1)`$, then $`2dimW<dim(V_i)`$, the dimension $`dimW+dim(\text{self-intersections of }V_i\text{ in }M)<dim(V_i)`$, and $`dimW+dim(\text{intersections of }V_i\text{ with }V_j)<dim(V_i)`$. Again, applying general position argument, we may $`C^0`$-perturb the map $`H:W\times TM`$ (leaving it fixed on $`\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)\times T`$) such that $`H|_{W\times \sigma _i}`$ will be smooth embeddings $`W\times \sigma _if_i(V_i)`$, disjoint from self-intersections of $`f_i:V_iM`$, and intersections with over $`V_j`$, distinct from $`\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)`$.

Finally, since $`2(p+k)<m`$ and $`n_i<mpk`$ for all $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$, we have $`2dim(W\times T)<dim(M)`$ and $`dim(W\times T)+dim(V_i)<dim(M)`$. This means that by general position we can $`C^0`$-perturb the map $`H`$ (leaving it fixed on $`\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)\times T`$ and $`W\times \sigma _i`$) such that $`H:(W\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k))\times TM`$ will be a smooth embedding with $`H(W\times T\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)\times TW\times \{\sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma _k\}))(_{i=1\mathrm{}k}f_i(V_i))=\mathrm{}`$.

Denote by $`W^+`$ and $`T^+`$ open manifolds without boundary, which are obtained from $`W`$ and $`T`$ by attaching a small collar neighborhood of the boundary. Since $`W\times T`$ is a deformation retract of $`W^+\times T^+`$, we can extend $`H`$ to an embedding $`H:W^+\times T^+/(x\times tx\times \sigma x\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k),tT)W^+\times T^+M`$ such that for this extended $`H`$ we still have $`H|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}`$ — a smooth embedding into $`f_i(V_i)`$, disjoint from self-intersections of $`f_i(V_i)`$, and $`H(W^+\times T^+\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)\times TW^+\times \{\sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma _k\})(_{i=1\mathrm{}k}f_i(V_i))=\mathrm{}`$.

Denote by $`\pi _W:W^+\times T^+W^+`$ the natural projection. By definition, $`\nu _{W\times T}\pi _W^{}(J^{}(\pi _1^{}\nu _{f_1}\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _{f_k})J^{}\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )^{}\nu _M)`$. On the other hand, $`\nu _{W\times T}=\nu _HH^{}\nu _M`$. It is easy to see that $`H`$ is homotopic to $`\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )J\pi _W`$. Therefore $`\nu _H\pi _W^{}J^{}(\pi _1^{}\nu _{f_1}\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _{f_k})`$. Since $`dim(W\times T)=p+k<mn_i=dim(\pi _W^{}J^{}\pi _i^{}\nu _{f_i})`$, then $`\pi _W^{}J^{}\pi _i^{}\nu _{f_i}=\eta _iϵ_i`$ for some bundle $`\eta _i`$ and a trivial line bundle $`ϵ_i`$. So, $`\nu _H\eta _1\mathrm{}\eta _k`$. Since $`dim(\nu _H)=mpk=dim(\eta _1\mathrm{}\eta _k)>p+k=dim(W\times T)`$, then $`\nu _H\eta _1\mathrm{}\eta _k`$. Fix such an isomorphism. Denote by $`\delta _i`$ the barycenter of the face, opposite to $`\sigma _i`$ in the simplex $`T`$. Denote by $`\epsilon _i`$ the trivial 1-dimensional bundle over $`W^+\times T^+`$, parallel to the line $`\sigma _i\sigma \delta _iT`$. Note that $`\epsilon _1,\mathrm{},\epsilon _k`$ are linearly dependent ($`\stackrel{}{\epsilon }_1+\mathrm{}+\stackrel{}{\epsilon }_k=0`$), but any $`(k1)`$ of them are linearly independent. Denote by $`\mathrm{\Xi }`$ the bundle, spanned by $`\epsilon _1,\mathrm{},\epsilon _k`$, then $`\mathrm{\Xi }`$ is the trivial bundle, tangent to $`T^+`$ in $`W^+\times T^+`$. Recall that $`H(W^+\times \sigma _i)f_i(V_i)`$. Therefore $`\nu _{f_i}(V_i,M)|_{H(W^+\times \sigma _i)}\nu _{H|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}}=\nu _H(W^+\times T^+,M)|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}\nu (W^+\times \sigma _i,W^+\times T^+)`$. In $`\nu _H|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}\nu (W^+\times \sigma _i,W^+\times T^+)`$ we already have a summand, isomorphic to the pull-back of $`\nu _{f_i}`$, namely $`\eta _i\epsilon _i`$. Therefore the complement to $`\nu _{f_i}(V,M)`$ in $`\nu _{H|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}}`$ is stably isomorphic to the complement of $`\eta _i\epsilon _i`$. Since $`dim(\nu _{H|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}})dim(\nu _{f_i}(V_i,M))=n_ip1>p+1=dim(W^+\times \sigma _i)`$, then these complements are isomorphic. So, in $`\nu _H\mathrm{\Xi }`$ we have $`k`$ bundles $`\chi _i=(\eta _1\mathrm{}\widehat{\eta _i}\mathrm{}\eta _k)\epsilon _i^{}(\mathrm{\Xi })`$, and $`\chi _i|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}`$ is isomorphic to the complement to $`\nu _{f_i}(V_i,M)`$ in $`\nu _{H|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}}=(\nu _H\mathrm{\Xi })|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}`$. Here $`\epsilon _i^{}(\mathrm{\Xi })`$ is the orthogonal complement to $`\epsilon _i`$ in $`\mathrm{\Xi }`$, then $`\epsilon _i^{}(\mathrm{\Xi })|_{W^+\times \sigma _i\sigma \delta _i}=\nu (W^+\times \sigma _i\sigma \delta _i,W^+\times T^+)`$. Note that common intersection of $`\chi _i|_{W^+\times \sigma }`$ is empty. Since the homotopy group of the Stiefel manifold $`\pi _d(V_{dim(\nu _H\mathrm{\Xi }),dim(\chi _i)})=0`$ if $`d<dim(\nu _H\mathrm{\Xi })dim(\chi _i)`$ \[Whd\], and $`dim(W\times T)=p+k<mn_i=dim(\nu _H\mathrm{\Xi })dim(\chi _i)`$, then there is no obstruction for homotopying $`\chi _i`$ in a small neighborhood of $`W^+\times \sigma _i`$ in $`W^+\times T^+`$ to a bundle $`\chi _i^{}`$ such that $`\chi _i^{}|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}=\nu _{f_i}(V_i,M)^{}(\nu _{H|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}})`$.

Let $`\phi :W^+`$ be a smooth function such that $`\phi ^1(0)=\overline{}(f_1\times \mathrm{}\times f_k)`$, $`\phi ^1(1)=N`$ and $`\phi ^1[0,1]=W`$. Since $`H`$ is an embedding, then on each sheet $`H(W^+\times \delta _i\sigma \sigma _i^+)`$ we can introduce a coordinate system $`W^+\times `$, such that $`H(W^+\times \sigma )`$ have coordinates $`(w,0)`$, and $`H(W^+\times \sigma _i)`$ have coordinates $`(w,\phi (w))`$. Let $`U_i`$ be a small enough neighborhood of the zero-section of $`\chi _i|_{W^+\times \delta _i\sigma \sigma _i^+}`$ such that $`\mathrm{exp}dH:U_iM`$ is a diffeomorphism on its image. On the manifold $`\mathrm{exp}dH(U_i)`$ we have coordinate system $`(w,t,\stackrel{}{v})`$, where $`wW,t,\stackrel{}{v}U_i`$. Since $`\chi _i|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}=\nu _{f_i}(V_i,M)^{}(\nu _{H|_{W^+\times \sigma _i}})`$, then $`\mathrm{exp}dH(U_i|_{W^+\times \sigma _i})`$ is a tubular neighborhood of $`H(W^+\times \sigma _i)`$ in $`f_i(V_i)`$. Let $`\psi :W^+[0,1]`$ be a smooth function such that $`\psi 0`$, $`\psi |_W1`$ and $`\psi |_{W^+U}0`$, where open set $`U`$ is such that $`WUW^+`$ and $`\overline{U}W^+`$. Let $`\kappa :`$ be a smooth bell-shaped function such that $`\kappa (0)=1`$ and $`\kappa (\stackrel{}{v})=0`$ for $`\stackrel{}{v}`$ outside of $`U_i`$. Then the regular homotopy from $`f_i`$ to $`f_i^{}`$ is given by $`(w,\phi (w),\stackrel{}{v})(w,\phi (w)t\psi (w)\kappa (\stackrel{}{v}),\stackrel{}{v})`$, $`t[0,1]`$ for points in $`\mathrm{exp}dH(U_i|_{W^+\times \sigma _i})f_i(V_i)`$, and is constant outside. Since common intersection of $`\chi _i|_{W^+\times \sigma }`$ is empty, then common intersection of $`\mathrm{exp}dH(U_i)`$ is empty, and at the last moment we will get exactly $`\overline{}(f_1^{}\times \mathrm{}\times f_k^{})=N`$. ∎

###### Proof of Theorem 3.1.

If $`\widehat{\overline{}(F)}=\mathrm{}`$, put $`b(F)=0\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi (f))`$. Now suppose $`\widehat{\overline{}(F)}\mathrm{}`$. Denote by $`D:M\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$ the diffeomorphism $`x(x,\mathrm{},x)`$. Obviously, the restriction on $`\widehat{\overline{}(F)}`$ of the projection $`V^{(k)}V`$ on the $`i`$-th factor is a composite $`h_i\pi _i^{}`$ for a uniquely determined $`h_i:\widehat{\overline{}(F)}_{(i)}V`$, and $`D^1F|_{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}`$ is a composite $`h\pi ^{}`$ for a uniquely determined $`h:\overline{}(F)M`$. Since $`\widehat{\overline{}(F)}(V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2)`$, then $`h_i\pi _i^{}(x)h_j\pi _j^{}(x)`$ for $`x\widehat{\overline{}(F)}`$ and $`ij`$. Let $`\overline{F}:V^{(k)}\times [0,1]M^{(k)}`$ be a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariant homotopy between $`\overline{F}_0=f^{(k)}`$ and $`\overline{F}_1=F`$. Denote by $`\pi _i^M:M^{(k)}M`$ the projection on the $`i`$-th factor. Then $`fh_i\pi _i^{}`$ and $`D^1F=\pi _i^MF`$ are connected by the homotopy $`x\pi _i^M\overline{F}_t(h_1\pi _1^{}(x),\mathrm{},h_k\pi _k^{}(x)),t[0,1]`$. This gives a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant homotopy $`H:\widehat{\overline{}(F)}\times T^1M`$, where $`T^1`$ is the $`1`$-dimensional subcomplex of $`T`$, consisting of vertices $`\sigma ,\sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma _k`$ and straight intervals $`\sigma \sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma \sigma _k`$. Since $`T^1`$ is an $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant deformation retract of $`T`$ under $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariant deformation, we can extend $`H`$ to a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant homotopy $`H:\widehat{\overline{}(F)}\times TM`$. Note that if $`F=f^{(k)}`$, we can take $`H`$ to be the constant homotopy. By universal property of $`\widehat{E_k}`$, this gives a canonical map $`j:\overline{}(F)E_k`$.

Since the manifold $`\widehat{\overline{}(F)}V^{(k)}`$, then $`\nu _{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}=\nu _{V^{(k)}}|_{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}\nu (\widehat{\overline{}(F)},V^{(k)})`$. By construction, $`\nu (\widehat{\overline{}(F)},V^{(k)})(F|_{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}})^{}\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)})`$ and $`\nu _{V^{(k)}}|_{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}\nu _{f^{(k)}}|_{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}(f^{(k)}|_{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}})^{}\nu _{M^{(k)}}`$. Since $`f^{(k)}`$ is $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariantly homotopic to $`F`$ and $`F(\widehat{\overline{}(F)})\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$, then $`\nu _{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}\nu _{f^{(k)}}|_{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}(F|_{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}})^{}(\nu _{M^{(k)}}|_{\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k}\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)}))`$. Note that $`F|_{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}=D\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )\widehat{ȷ}`$ and $`f^{(k)}|_{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}=f^{(k)}(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k)\widehat{ȷ}`$. Since $`\nu _{M^{(k)}}|_{\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k}\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)})\nu _{\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )`$ is $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant, then $`\nu _{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}\widehat{ȷ}^{}(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k)^{}\nu _{f^{(k)}}\widehat{ȷ}^{}\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )^{}\nu _M`$. Therefore $`\nu _{\overline{}(F)}=\nu _{\widehat{\overline{}(F)}}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_kj^{}(\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_kj^{}\varphi ^{}\nu _M=j^{}\xi `$. Thus the map $`j:\overline{}(F)E_k`$ defines an element $`b(F)\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi (f))`$.

Now, suppose we have a $`k`$-disjoint homotopy $`\overline{F}:V^{(k)}\times [1,2]M^{(k)}`$, where $`F_1=\overline{F}_1,F_2=\overline{F}_2`$ are $`k`$-transversal. Since $`\overline{F}`$ is $`k`$-disjoint, then $`\overline{F}^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2\times [1,2]`$ is disjoint from $`\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2\times [1,2]`$. WLOG we may assume $`\widehat{\overline{}(F_1)}\mathrm{}`$. If $`\widehat{\overline{}(F_2)}\mathrm{}`$, choose an open $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant neighborhood $`U`$ of $`\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2\times [1,2]`$ in $`V^{(k)}\times [1,2]`$ such that $`\overline{U}`$ is disjoint from $`\overline{F}^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2\times [1,2]`$. If $`\widehat{\overline{}(F_2)}=\mathrm{}`$, we may assume that $`(\overline{F}_t)^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2=\mathrm{}`$ for $`t`$ close to $`2`$. Then take $`U`$ to be an open $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant neighborhood of $`\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2\times [1,2]V^{(k)}\times \{2\}`$ in $`V^{(k)}\times [1,2]`$ such that $`\overline{U}`$ is disjoint from $`F^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2\times [1,2]`$.

Note that the $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action on $`V^{(k)}\times [1,2]U`$ is free. Therefore we can approximate $`\overline{F}|_{V^{(k)}\times [1,2]U}`$ by a smooth $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariant map $`\stackrel{~}{F}:V^{(k)}\times [1,2]UM^{(k)}`$, which is transversal to $`\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$, keeping it fixed on the end $`V^{(k)}\times \{1\}U`$, where it is already transversal (and on $`V^{(k)}\times \{2\}U`$, if $`\widehat{\overline{}(F_2)}\mathrm{}`$). Since $`\overline{F}(U)\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k=\mathrm{}`$, then $`\stackrel{~}{F}(U)\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k=\mathrm{}`$, and $`\widehat{W}=\stackrel{~}{F}^1(\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k)`$ is a proper compact submanifold of $`V^{(k)}\times [1,2]U`$ with a free $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action, and $`\widehat{W}=\widehat{\overline{}(F_1)}\widehat{\overline{}(F_2)}`$. Denote $`W=\widehat{W}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$.

Obviously, the restriction on $`\widehat{W}`$ of the projection $`V^{(k)}\times [1,2]V`$ on the $`i`$-th factor is a composite $`h_i\pi _i^{}`$ for a uniquely determined $`h_i:\widehat{W}_{(i)}V`$, and $`D^1\stackrel{~}{F}|_{\widehat{W}}`$ is a composite $`h\pi ^{}`$ for a uniquely determined $`h:WM`$. Since $`\widehat{W}(V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2)\times [1,2]`$, then $`h_i\pi _i^{}(x)h_j\pi _j^{}(x)`$ for $`x\widehat{W}`$ and $`ij`$. Let $`\stackrel{~}{F}:V^{(k)}\times [0,1]M^{(k)}`$ be a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariant homotopy between $`\stackrel{~}{F}_0=f^{(k)}`$ and $`\stackrel{~}{F}_1=\overline{F}_1=F_1`$. Denote by $`t:V^{(k)}\times [0,2][0,2]`$ the projection on the last factor. Then $`fh_i\pi _i^{}`$ and $`D^1(\stackrel{~}{F}|_{\widehat{W}})=\pi _i^M(\stackrel{~}{F}|_{\widehat{W}})`$ are connected by the homotopy $`x\pi _i^M\stackrel{~}{F}(h_1\pi _1^{}(x),\mathrm{},h_k\pi _k^{}(x),t^{}t(x)),t^{}[0,1]`$. This gives a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant homotopy $`H:\widehat{W}\times T^1M`$. Since $`T^1`$ is an $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant deformation retract of $`T`$ under $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariant deformation, we can extend $`H`$ to a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant homotopy $`H:\widehat{W}\times TM`$. By universal property of $`\widehat{E_k}`$, this gives a canonical map $`J:WE_k`$.

Since the manifold $`\widehat{W}V^{(k)}\times [1,2]`$, then $`\nu _{\widehat{W}}=\nu _{V^{(k)}\times [1,2]}|_{\widehat{W}}\nu (\widehat{W},V^{(k)}\times [1,2])`$. By construction, $`\nu (\widehat{W},V^{(k)}\times [1,2])(\stackrel{~}{F}|_{\widehat{W}})^{}\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)})`$ and $`\nu _{V^{(k)}\times [1,2]}|_{\widehat{W}}(\pi _1^V\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k^V|_{\widehat{W}})^{}(\nu _{f^{(k)}}(f^{(k)})^{}\nu _{M^{(k)}})`$, where $`\pi _i^V:V^{(k)}\times [0,2]V`$ is the projection on the $`i`$-th factor. Since $`f^{(k)}(\pi _1^V\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k^V)|_{\widehat{W}}`$ is $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariantly homotopic to $`\stackrel{~}{F}|_{\widehat{W}}`$ and $`\stackrel{~}{F}(\widehat{W})\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k`$, then $`\nu _{\widehat{W}}(\pi _1^V\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k^V|_{\widehat{W}})^{}\nu _{f^{(k)}}(\stackrel{~}{F}|_{\widehat{W}})^{}(\nu _{M^{(k)}}|_{\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k}\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)}))`$. Note that $`\stackrel{~}{F}|_{\widehat{W}}=D\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )\widehat{J}`$ and $`f^{(k)}(\pi _1^V\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k^V)|_{\widehat{W}}=f^{(k)}(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k)\widehat{J}`$. Since $`\nu _{M^{(k)}}|_{\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k}\nu (\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k,M^{(k)})\nu _{\mathrm{\Delta }_M^k}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )`$ is $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant, then $`\nu _{\widehat{W}}\widehat{J}^{}(\pi _1\times \mathrm{}\times \pi _k)^{}\nu _{f^{(k)}}\widehat{J}^{}\mathrm{\Phi }(,\sigma )^{}\nu _M`$. Therefore $`\nu _W=\nu _{\widehat{W}}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_kJ^{}(\pi _1^{}\nu _f\mathrm{}\pi _k^{}\nu _f)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_kJ^{}\varphi ^{}\nu _M=J^{}\xi `$. Thus the map $`J:WE_k`$ gives a bordism between $`b(F_1)`$ and $`b(F_2)`$ in $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi (f))`$. ∎

###### Proof of Theorem 3.2.

Making a small regular perturbation of $`f`$, we may assume that it is in general position. By Theorem 3.1, this will not change the class $`b(f^{(k)})\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi )`$. From $`(k+1)(n+1)km`$ it follows that $`2p<n`$, or $`2dim(\overline{}(k,f))<dim(V)`$. Since $`\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}V^{(k)}\mathrm{\Delta }_V^2`$, by general position we may assume that the manifold $`\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}_{(i)}`$ is embedded by $`h_i`$ into $`V`$ for all $`i=1\mathrm{}k`$, the manifold $`\overline{}(f^{(k)})`$ is embedded by $`h`$ into $`M`$, and $`f:\left(_ih_i(\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}_{(i)})\right)h(\overline{}(f^{(k)}))`$ is a $`k`$-fold covering (possibly, some of $`h_i(\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}_{(i)})`$ coincide).

Let $`J:WE_k`$ be the bordism between $`\overline{}(f^{(k)})`$ and $`N`$ in $`\mathrm{\Omega }_p(E_k;\xi )`$. Choose a lifting $`\widehat{J}:\widehat{W}\widehat{E_k}`$. Since the $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action on $`\widehat{W}`$ is free, the diagonal $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-action on $`\widehat{W}\times T`$ is also free. Therefore $`(\widehat{W}\times T)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ is a smooth manifold. Note that $`(\widehat{W}\times \sigma )/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k=W`$. Since $`\mathrm{\Phi }:\widehat{E_k}\times TM`$ is $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant, the map $`B:(\widehat{W}\times T)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_kM`$ is well-defined by the formula $`[w,t]\mathrm{\Phi }(\widehat{J}(w),t)`$. Note that $`B((\widehat{W}\times \sigma _i)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k)f(V)`$. By construction of $`b(f^{(k)})`$, for $`x\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}`$ and $`t,t^{}T`$ we have $`B([x,t])=B([x,t^{}])`$.

Since $`2(p+1)<n`$ and $`(p+1)+(2nm)<n`$, we have $`2dim(W)<dim(V)`$, and $`dim(W)+dim(`$ self-intersections of $`V`$ in $`M)<dim(V)`$. Applying general position argument, we may $`C^0`$ perturb the map $`B:(\widehat{W}\times T)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_kM`$ (leaving it fixed on $`(\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}\times T)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$) so that $`B|_{(\widehat{W}\times \sigma _i)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k}`$ will be a smooth embedding into $`f(V)`$, disjoint from self-intersections of $`f:VM`$, distinct from $`\overline{}(f^{(k)})`$.

Since $`2(p+k)<m`$ and $`(p+k)+n<m`$, we have $`2dim(W\times T)<dim(M)`$, and $`dim(W\times T)+dim(V)<dim(M)`$. This means that by general position we can $`C^0`$-perturb the map $`B`$ (leaving it fixed on $`(\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}\times T)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ and $`(\widehat{W}\times \sigma _i)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$) so that $`B:\left(\widehat{W}\times T\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}\times T\right)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_kM`$ will be a smooth embedding with $`B\left(\left\{\widehat{W}\times T\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}\times T\widehat{W}\times \{\sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma _k\}\right\}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k\right)f(V)=\mathrm{}`$.

Denote by $`\widehat{W}^+`$ and $`T^+`$ open manifolds without boundary, which are obtained from $`\widehat{W}`$ and $`T`$ by attaching a small collar neighborhood of the boundary. Then $`\left(\widehat{W}^+\times T^+/\{x\times tx\times \sigma x\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})},tT\}\right)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k(\widehat{W}^+\times T^+)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ is a smooth manifold. Since $`\widehat{W}\times T`$ is a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-equivariant deformation retract of $`\widehat{W}^+\times T^+`$, we can extend $`B`$ to an embedding $`B:\left(\widehat{W}^+\times T^+/\{x\times tx\times \sigma x\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})},tT\}\right)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_kM`$ such that for this extended $`B`$ we still have $`B|_{(\widehat{W}^+\times \sigma _i)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k}`$ — a smooth embedding into $`f(V)`$, disjoint from self-intersections of $`f(V)`$, and $`B\left(\left\{\widehat{W}^+\times T^+\widehat{\overline{}(f^{(k)})}\times T\widehat{W}^+\times \{\sigma _1,\mathrm{},\sigma _k\}\right\}/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k\right)f(V)=\mathrm{}`$.

Denote by $`H:\widehat{W}^+\times T^+M`$ the immersion, defined as a composition of the natural covering $`\widehat{W}^+\times T^+(\widehat{W}^+\times T^+)/\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$ with $`B`$. Strictly speaking, this is not quite immersion, it has ”singularities” at $`\overline{}(f^{(k)})\times T`$. Obviously, $`H`$ is $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant. The rest of the proof follows the proof of Theorem 2.2, which is expressly written in a $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant language. Indeed, substitute $`W\widehat{W}`$, $`\nu _{f_i}\nu _f`$, $`V_iV`$, $`J\widehat{J}`$. Locally, in a small neighborhood of $`wW`$, the construction from the proof of Theorem 2.2 translates without changes. Then the fact that $`H`$ is $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_k`$-invariant guarantee us that the desired regular homotopy will be well-defined globally. ∎


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# Quantum Phase Transitions to Charge Order and Wigner Crystal Under Interplay of Lattice Commensurability and Long-Range Coulomb Interaction

## Abstract

Relationship among Wigner crystal, charge order and Mott insulator is studied by the path-integral renormalization group method for two-dimensional lattices with long-range Coulomb interaction. In contrast to Hartree-Fock results, the solid stability drastically increases with lattice commensurability. The transition to liquid occurs at the electron gas parameter $`r_s2`$ for the filling $`n=1/2`$ showing large reduction from $`r_s35`$ in the continuum limit. Correct account of quantum fluctuations are crucial to understand charge-order stability generally observed only at simple fractional fillings and nature of quantum liquids away from them.

Coulomb interaction between electrons drives various types of electron crystallization ranging from Wigner lattice, charge order including stripes to Mott insulator. The Wigner transition in the continuum space was studied on two-dimensional (2D) electron systems by quantum Monte Carlo calculations and the transition point was estimated to be $`r_s35`$ at zero temperature ImadaTakahashi ; TanatarCeperley , where $`r_s=r_0/a_B`$ with the Wigner Seitz radius $`r_0=1/\sqrt{\pi n_e}`$, the Bohr radius $`a_B=4\pi ϵ\mathrm{}^2/m^{}e^2`$ and the electron density $`n_e`$. This 2D Wigner transition in quantum region was experimentally realized in GaAs heterostructure with extremely high mobility and the transition at $`r_s35`$ was in good agreement with the theoretical prediction Shayegan .

The most dramatic effect of atomic periodic potential in crystal not contained in the electron gas is apparently the band formation in electronic spectra due to Bloch theorem. In this letter, we stress another crucial concept, lattice commensurability, generates different dramatic effects when the Coulomb interaction is present. In correlated electron systems in solids as in transition metal compounds ImadaFujimoriTokura ; Tranquada  and organic systems Kanoda , charge ordering phenomena including stripe-type are common when the electron filling $`n`$ satisfies simple fractional number such as 1/2 and 1/3. These phenomena have attracted much interest in relation to the mechanisms of high-Tc superconductivity in the cuprates and colossal magnetoresistance in the manganites. However, in those systems, as we discuss later, the effective value of $`r_s`$ is usually estimated to be rather small in the range $`r_s<10`$, though we have some uncertainty in the evaluation of the effective mass $`m^{}`$ and the dielectric constant $`ϵ`$. At such low values of $`r_s`$, we normally expect the quantum melting of electrons in terms of the above electron gas picture. When the electron filling deviates from a simple fractional number, such charge orders indeed usually melts to metals or the charge periodicity is pinned at the simple fillings with added carriers localized by disorder. It implies that a mechanism of stabilizing the solid only at simple commensurate filling works very efficiently.

Another known result is that the Mott insulator at integer fillings can be stabilized even at lower effective $`r_s`$. The Mott insulator can be viewed as the extreme limit of strong commensurability. A common feature of the charge order and the Mott insulator is that they are charge imcompressible state resulted from the short-ranged part of the Coulomb interaction.

In this letter, we show that the mechanism for such common stabilization of the solid phase only at simple fractional fillings is not clear in the Hartree-Fock(HF) calculations, whereas the stabilization and melting can indeed be understood only when the quantum fluctuation effects are seriously considered.

To understand the basic mechanism, we employ a Hamiltonian given as

$`\widehat{H}`$ $`=`$ $`\widehat{H}_0+\widehat{H}_I,`$
$`\widehat{H}_0`$ $`=`$ $`{\displaystyle \underset{<i,j>,\sigma }{}}t_{ij}(c_{i\sigma }^{}c_{j\sigma }+h.c.),`$
$`\widehat{H}_I`$ $`=`$ $`U{\displaystyle \underset{i}{}}n_in_i+{\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}}{\displaystyle \underset{ij}{}}V_{ij}n_in_j,`$ (1)
where the notations follow the standard one in the Hubbard type models. We take the long-ranged Coulomb term as $`V_{ij}=V/|r_ir_j|`$, where we ignore possible screening effects arising from electrons in other bands. The jelium model is employed by assuming a uniform positive charge as a background while the effect of ionic periodic potential is represented by the lattice with single-band electrons located near the Fermi level. The onsite interaction $`U`$ measured from $`V`$ may depend on the detailed structure of atomic orbitals. Here we take $`U/t=4`$ throughout this paper for simplicity. This ratio may be more or less the lower bound for the real situations. In any case our results in this letter for $`n1/2`$ do not sensitively depend on this ratio. We study spinless fermion models in addition to spin-1/2 electrons. For spinless fermions, the $`U`$ term does not exist. This corresponds to the fully polarized ferromagnetic case. We impose the periodic boundary condition in the numerical studies. The Coulomb interactions between images across the periodic boundaries are taken by the Ewald summation.

Since our purpose in this letter is to understand a generic and universal feature of the interplay between quantum fluctuations and commensurability, we restrict our study to the square lattice with the anisotropy of lattice constants $`a_x`$ and $`a_y`$ as well as $`t_x`$ and $`t_y`$ taken as simple as possible to avoid a possible complexity which may intervene the clarification of the essence. The transfer is limited to the nearest-neighbor pairs in $`x`$ and $`y`$ directions denoted by $`t_x`$ and $`t_y`$ as in Fig.1. We choose the anisotropy $`d=a_y/a_x`$ to make the charge ordering on a right triangular lattice possible. By this choice, the charge order stability is optimized and can be estimated on the same ground as the continuum limit. To see a systematic dependence on $`r_s`$, we control $`t_x`$ and $`t_y`$ by a single parameter of the effective mass $`m^{}`$ as $`t_z=\mathrm{}^2/2m^{}a_z^2`$ with $`z=x`$ or $`y`$, which correctly reproduces the dispersion in the continuum limit.

The above Hamiltonian may be rewritten as $`\widehat{H_R}=\widehat{H}_0+\widehat{H}_I,\widehat{H}_0=\frac{d}{\pi nr_s^2}_{<i,j>_x,\sigma }(c_{i\sigma }^{}c_{j\sigma }+h.c.)\frac{1}{\pi dnr_s^2}_{<i,j>_y,\sigma }(c_{i\sigma }^{}c_{j\sigma }+h.c.)+\frac{2}{\pi nr_s^2}(d+\frac{1}{d})\widehat{N}_e,\widehat{H}_I=U_in_in_i+\sqrt{\frac{d}{\pi n}}\frac{1}{r_s}_{i,j}\frac{n_in_j}{|𝒓_j𝒓_i|}`$ in the energy unit of Rydbergs, where $`\widehat{N}_e`$ is the total electron-number operator. In the continuum limit, by the limit of vanishing $`a_x`$ and $`a_y`$ and $`n0`$, with $`r_s`$ fixed, the above Hamiltonian is reduced to that of conventional electron gas.

We first show results of the standard HF calculation for spinless fermions. For the fillings $`n<1/2`$, the first-order transitions are clearly visible from the jump of $`d\widehat{H}/dr_s`$ e.g. in Fig. 2 at $`r_{sc}=3.45\pm 0.05`$ for $`n=1/32`$ on $`32\times 32`$ lattice. Note that the jump of $`d\widehat{H}/dr_s`$ indicates the level crossing in the ground state as a function of the control parameter $`r_s`$ and gives an evidence for the first-order transition. The right ordinate is the scale for the second Hamiltonian $`\widehat{H}_R`$ defined by $`\mathrm{\Xi }=(r_s^2\widehat{H}_R)/r_s=(d/\pi n)\widehat{H}/r_s.`$ From Fig. 3, the electron crystallization is indeed identified in the two-body correlation function defined by $`C(𝒓_𝒊)=\frac{1}{N}_{𝒓_𝒋}n_{𝒓_𝒋\mathbf{+}𝒓_𝒊}n_{𝒓_𝒋}.`$

For fixed electron number $`N_e`$, the transition point is extrapolated to the continuum limit $`n0`$. These results are further extrapolated to the thermodynamic limit $`N_e\mathrm{}`$ as in Fig. 4. This indicates that the system size dependence is small and the result at $`N_e=8`$ is already a good estimate of the thermodynamic limit. At $`n=1/2`$, the transition is of continuous type with the absence of a jump in $`dH/dr_s`$ while the peak value of the Fourier transform of two-body charge correlation diverges as a Bragg peak with increasing system size for $`r_sr_{sc}`$. Then the transition point is estimated as $`r_{sc}=0.9\pm 0.1`$ after finite-size scaling.

To understand effects of spin degrees of freedom, spin-1/2 electrons are also analyzed at $`n=1/4`$ and $`1/2`$. The transitions appear to be of first order at $`r_{sc}=2.05\pm 0.05`$ and continuous at $`r_{sc}=1.35\pm 0.15`$, respectively. The orders of transitions are the same as the spinless case and the difference of $`r_{sc}`$ between these two cases shrinks with decreasing filling. We discuss this tendency later. We conclude that the unrestricted HF approximation predicts the crystallization of 2D electrons ranging from $`r_{sc}1`$ at $`n=1/2`$ to $`r_{sc}3.69`$ in the continuum limit. We note that the filling dependence is rather small.

To understand how quantum and many-body fluctuations modifies the HF results, we have calculated the ground state of this system by applying recently developed PIRG method KashimaImadaPIRG . This algorithm allows us to start from and improve the above unrestricted HF solutions and reach the correct ground state by taking account quantum fluctuations in a controlled fashion. By following the path integral formalism, the convergence to the ground state is obtained after repeated operations of $`\mathrm{exp}[\tau \widehat{H}]`$ to Slater determinants with small $`\tau `$ and by the break-up of the kinetic and Coulomb energy terms. The long-ranged Coulomb term is rewritten by using the Stratonovich-Hubbard transformation which allows this term to operate to the Slater determinants, though it increases the number of Slater determinants in the linear combination of the wave function NodaImada . With increasing the dimension of truncated Hilbert space in a nonorthogonal basis optimized by this path integral operation, an extrapolation method using the variance $`\mathrm{\Delta }E=(\widehat{H}^2\widehat{H}^2)/\widehat{H}^2`$, is employed to reach the true ground state. For the extrapolation, we took the number of nonorthogonal Slater determinants up to 256. We show results when the extrapolation linearly converges well to those of the full Hilbert space.

We took lattice sizes up to 144 sites ($`12\times 12`$ lattice) with electrons up to 72 at quarter filling $`n=1/2`$ for both spinless and spin-1/2 electron systems (Then for 144 sites of spin-1/2 system, we took 36 up and down spin electrons each). For fillings 1/8 and 1/18, we show only on the spinless system for 64 sites and 144 sites, respectively with 8 electrons. We restricted to the spinless case for these low fillings since the difference of $`r_{sc}`$ from the system with spins is estimated to be small. This is inferred from the comparisons of the PIRG with the HF results at $`n=1/2`$ together with the HF results at lower filing with spins. In fact, the spin effects appear mainly through the exchange process. The exchange is scaled by $`t^2`$ where $`t`$ is the effective transfer between neighboring electrons. At lowering fillings, it forms lower-energy hierarchy as compared with that of the charge order, $`V`$. Therefore, though spin is important in determining the magnetic order, this small energy scale hardly changes the solid-liquid transition point for $`n1/2`$. From comparisons for different sizes, the system-size dependence of the transition point appears to be small at the low fillings because the transition becomes first order. Therefore, though our systems at the low fillings are rather small, the results are expected to be close to the thermodynamic results.

We first show spinless cases. Fig. 5 shows a typical example showing the first-order transition in the PIRG calculation at $`n=1/18`$ for 8 fermions on 12 by 12 lattice. The behavior of jump is similar to the HF results with a clear change of the two-body correlation function as in Fig. 6. However, this first-order crystallization takes place at substantially higher $`r_s`$ than the Hartre-Fock result. The transition at $`n=1/8`$ is also first order while that is of continuous type again at $`n=1/2`$. The transition point is estimated to be $`r_{sc}=1.75\pm 0.25,13.5\pm 0.5`$ and $`24.5\pm 0.5`$ for $`n=1/2,1/8`$ and 1/18, respectively. We have also studied spin-1/2 electrons at $`n=1/2`$ and obtained a continuous transition at $`r_{sc}=2.0\pm 1.0`$, which is comparable to the spinless case.

In Fig. 7, the phase boundary of the solid and liquid phases, $`r_{sc}`$, are shown and the HF and PIRG results are compared for $`n=1/l`$ with integer $`l`$. At simple fractional filling such as $`n=1/2`$, $`r_{sc}`$ by the HF approximation is relatively good. However, it deviates from the PIRG results rapidly with increasing $`l`$. The ratio of these two estimates increases from $`1.52`$ at $`n=1/2`$ to $`10`$ in the continuum limit. In terms of the electron density, this difference means from 3-4 to 100, since the density is scaled by $`r_s^2`$. From the PIRG results, we can understand why charge orders are commonly observed in organic and transition metal compounds at simple fractional fillings as 1/2 and 1/3 while it is pinned or melts away from such fillings because $`r_{sc}`$ increases dramatically with increasing denominator of the irreducible fraction while the parameters of many compounds may lie in this range of variation. For example, when we assume a layered perovskite structure with the lattice constant $`a=4\AA `$ and the effective ratio $`ϵ/m^{}`$ being the twice of the bare value, $`n=1/2,1/3`$ and 2/3 are located in the solid region while $`n=1/4,3/4`$ and fractions with higher denominators are located in the liquid region as we see in Fig. 7. We note that the filling control at fixed lattice constants follows a contour line of $`ϵ/m^{}`$ in Fig. 7. As we also see in Fig. 7, the HF approximation fails in accounting this general experimental trend. The general trend can be understood only by taking account of quantum fluctuations sufficiently.

Even metallic states near the charge order may inherently contain such charge-order and stripe proximities e.g. formation of quantum and dynamical defect structure, in the region where the static solid could be stabilized on the mean-field level. Competitions with hierarchical structure formation by various levels of fractional numbers of fillings become intrinsic properties leading to self-organized structure. This may be particularly conspicuous near the simple commensurate order such as the Mott insulator, because the mass renormalization increases effective $`r_s`$ with more continuous character of the transition. Reanalyses of mechanisms of high-Tc superconductivity in the cuprates and the colossal magnetoresistance in the manganites from the present viewpoint would be desired in future, since they appear in the proximity of insulator stabilized by the commensurability.

In summary, we have studied the liquid-solid transition of two-dimensional electrons with long-range Coulomb interaction. We have shown how the Mott insulator at $`n=1`$, charge orders at $`0<n<1`$ and the Wigner lattice at $`n0`$ are connected. The charge order transition does not sensitively depend on the spin degrees of freedom for $`n<1/2`$. Although the HF transition points are rather insensitive to the electron filling and lattice commensurability, the PIRG result with quantum fluctuations taken in a correct way shows rapid increase of $`r_s`$ at the transition with decreasing filling. The present PIRG results explain why charge orders or stripes are commonly observed only at simple fractional fillings such as 1/2 and 1/3 but usually are not away from them. We stress that such interplay between quantum fluctuations and the commensurability may play crucial role also in metals (quantum liquids). It would be interesting if the interplay can be experimentally studied by microfabrication of periodic potential to high-mobility 2D electron systems.

The work is supported by JSPS under grant JSPS-RFTF97P01103. A part of computation was done at the supercomputer center at ISSP, University of Tokyo.