Conjectures in Arithmetic Algebraic Geometry: A Survey

by Wilfred W. J. Hulsbergen

Overview

In this expository text we sketch some interrelations between several famous conjectures in number theory and algebraic geometry that have intrigued math­ ematicians for a long period of time. Starting from Fermat's Last Theorem one is naturally led to introduce L­ functions, the main, motivation being the calculation of class numbers. In partic­ ular, Kummer showed that the class numbers of cyclotomic fields play a decisive role in the corroboration of Fermat's Last Theorem for a large class of exponents. Before Kummer, Dirichlet had already successfully applied his L-functions to the proof of the theorem on arithmetic progressions. Another prominent appearance of an L-function is Riemann's paper where the now famous Riemann Hypothesis was stated. In short, nineteenth century number theory showed that much, if not all, of number theory is reflected by properties of L-functions. Twentieth century number theory, class field theory and algebraic geome­ try only strengthen the nineteenth century number theorists's view. We just mention the work of E. H~cke, E. Artin, A. Weil and A. Grothendieck with his collaborators. Heeke generalized Dirichlet's L-functions to obtain results on the distribution of primes in number fields. Artin introduced his L-functions as a non-abelian generalization of Dirichlet's L-functions with a generalization of class field theory to non-abelian Galois extensions of number fields in mind.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783663095071
Publisher:	Vieweg+Teubner Verlag
Publication date:	05/02/2013
Series:	Aspects of Mathematics , #18
Edition description:	2nd ed. 1994. Softcover reprint of the original 2nd ed. 1994
Pages:	246
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.61(h) x 0.02(d)

About the Author

Dr. Wilfried Hulsbergen is teaching at the KMA, Breda,Niederlande.

Table of Contents

1 The zero-dimensional case: number fields.- 2 The one-dimensional case: elliptic curves.- 3 The general formalism of L-functions, Deligne cohomology and Poincaré duality theories.- 4 Riemann-Roch, K-theory and motivic cohomology.- 5 Regulators, Deligne’s conjecture and Beilinson’s first conjecture.- 6 Beilinson’s second conjecture.- 7 Arithmetic intersections and Beilinson’s third conjecture.- 8 Absolute Hodge cohomology, Hodge and Tate conjectures and Abel-Jacobi maps.- 9 Mixed realizations, mixed motives and Hodge and Tate conjectures for singular varieties.- 10 Examples and Results.- 11 The Bloch-Kato conjecture.