Regularized integrals and manifolds with log corners

Abstract

We introduce a natural geometric framework for the study of logarithmically divergent integrals on manifolds with corners and algebraic varieties, using the techniques of logarithmic geometry. Key to the construction is a new notion of morphism in logarithmic geometry itself, introduced by Howell, which allows us to interpret the ubiquitous rule of thumb ''${\lim }_{\hat{I}\mu \to 0}\log \hat{I}\mu :=0$'' as the restriction to a submanifold. Via a version of de Rham's theorem with logarithmic divergences, we obtain a functorial characterization of the classical theory of ``regularized integration'': it is the unique way to extend the ordinary integral to the logarithmically divergent context while respecting the basic laws of calculus (change of variables, Fubini's theorem, and Stokes' formula.)

Minor changes. Some explanations added in Section 7