A generalized Poincar\'e-Lelong formula

Abstract

We prove a generalization of the classical Poincar\'e-Lelong formula. Given a holomorphic section $f$, with zero set $Z$, of a Hermitian vector bundle $E\to X$, let $S$ be the line bundle over $X\setminus Z$ spanned by $f$ and let $Q=E/S$. Then the Chern form $c(D_Q)$ is locally integrable and closed in $X$ and there is a current $W$ such that $dd^cW=c(D_E)-c(D_Q)-M,$ where $M$ is a current with support on $Z$. In particular, the top Bott-Chern class is represented by a current with support on $Z$. We discuss positivity of these currents, and we also reveal a close relation with principal value and residue currents of Cauchy-Fantappi\`e-Leray type.