Quasi-linear relation between partition and analytic rank

Abstract: An important conjecture in additive combinatorics, number theory, and algebraic geometry posits that the partition rank and analytic rank of tensors are equal up to a constant, over any finite field. We prove the conjecture up to a logarithmic factor. Our proof is largely independent of previous work, utilizing recursively constructed polynomial identities and random walks on zero sets of polynomials. We also introduce a new, vector-valued notion of tensor rank (``local rank''), which serves as a bridge between partition and analytic rank, and which may be of independent interest as a tool for analyzing higher-degree polynomials.