Galois Action on the Homology of Fermat Curves

Rachel Davis, Rachel Pries, Vesna Stojanoska, Kirsten Wickelgren

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

In his paper titled “Torsion points on Fermat Jacobians, roots of circular units and relative singular homology,” Anderson determines the homology of the degree n Fermat curve as a Galois module for the action of the absolute Galois group GQ(ζn). In particular, when n is an odd prime p, he shows that the action of GQ(ζp) on a more powerful relative homology group factors through the Galois group of the splitting field of the polynomial 1−(1−xp)p. If p satisfies Vandiver’s conjecture, we give a proof that the Galois group G of this splitting field over Q(ζp) is an elementary abelian p-group of rank (p+1)/2. Using an explicit basis for G, we completely compute the relative homology, the homology, and the homology of an open subset of the degree 3 Fermat curve as Galois modules. We then compute several Galois cohomology groups which arise in connection with obstructions to rational points. In Anderson (Duke Math J 54(2):501 – 561, 1987), the author determines the homology of the degree n Fermat curve as a Galois module for the action of the absolute Galois group GQ(ζn). In particular, when n is an odd prime p, he shows that the action of GQ(ζp) on a more powerful relative homology group factors through the Galois group of the splitting field of the polynomial 1−(1−xp)p. If p satisfies Vandiver’s conjecture, we give a proof that the Galois group G of this splitting field over Q(ζp) is an elementary abelian p-group of rank (p+1)/2. Using an explicit basis for G, we completely compute the relative homology, the homology, and the homology of an open subset of the degree 3 Fermat curve as Galois modules. We then compute several Galois cohomology groups which arise in connection with obstructions to rational points.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationDirections in Number Theory
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 2014 WIN3 Workshop
PublisherSpringer
Pages57-86
Number of pages30
Volume3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

Publication series

NameAssociation for Women in Mathematics Series
Volume3
ISSN (Print)2364-5733
ISSN (Electronic)2364-5741

Keywords

  • Cohomology
  • Cyclotomic field
  • Fermat curve
  • Galois module
  • Homology
  • Étale fundamental group

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mathematics(all)
  • Gender Studies

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Galois Action on the Homology of Fermat Curves'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this