A Chow-Type theorem from asymptotic directions

Abstract

Let $X\subset \mathbb C^n$ be a closed pure $d$-dimensional complex analytic set. We associate to $X$ its set of projective asymptotic directions $$ \Sigma_\infty(X) :=\{\ell \in \mathbb P^{n-1}(\mathbb C):\ell\cap C_\infty(X)\ne\{0\}\}, $$ where $ C_\infty(X)$ is the total tangent cone at infinity. We prove the metric Chow-type characterization $$X\text{ is algebraic} \quad \Longleftrightarrow \quad \mathcal{H}^{2d} \bigl( \Sigma_\infty(X)\bigr)=0. $$ As an application, if $C_\infty(X)$ is definable in an o-minimal expansion of $(\mathbb R,+,\cdot)$ and $\dim_{\mathbb R} C_\infty(X)\le 2d$, then $X$ is algebraic.