On the bad points of positive semidefinite polynomials

Abstract: A bad point of a positive semidefinite real polynomial f is a point at which a pole appears in all expressions of f as a sum of squares of rational functions. We show that quartic polynomials in three variables never have bad points. We give examples of positive semidefinite polynomials with a bad point at the origin, that are nevertheless sums of squares of formal power series, answering a question of Brumfiel. We also give an example of a positive semidefinite polynomial in three variables with a complex bad point that is not real, answering a question of Scheiderer.