Universally defining subrings in function fields

Abstract

We establish that all rings of $S$-integers are universally definable in function fields in one variable over certain ground fields including global and non-archimedean local fields. That is, we show that the complement of such a ring of $S$-integers is always a diophantine set. As a technical tool, we use a reciprocity exact sequence for quadratic Witt groups in function fields over almost arbitrary base fields (of any characteristic), which is new and of potentially independent interest.