Romyar SharifiLECTURE NOTES
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LECTURE NOTES / Chapter 8

Algebraic Number Theory

Romyar Sharifi

Chapter 8 Class formations

Book contents

Chapter 8
Class formations

8.1. Reciprocity maps

Definition 8.1.1.

Let K be a field. A class formation (A,inv) for K is a discrete GK-module A such that for each finite separable extension L of K, we have H1(GL,A) = 0 and an isomorphism

invL: H2(G L,A)

such that for any intermediate field E, we have

invLResLE = [L : E]invE,

where ResLE is the restriction map H2(GE,A) H2(GL,A).

For the rest of this section, fix a field K and a class formation (A,inv) a class formation for K.

Remark 8.1.2.

A class formation over K gives rise to a class formation over all finite separable extensions of K. Thus, in several results below, we use K as the base field where it may be replaced by a finite separable extension without actual loss of generality.

Notation 8.1.3.

For a finite separable extension L of K, we set AL = AGL. If E is an intermediate extension, we let CorLE and ResLE denote restriction and corestriction between GL and GE. We write the corestriction map AL AE more simply by NLE.

Remark 8.1.4.

For a Galois extension LK, we have H1(Gal(LK),AL) = 0 and an isomorphism

invLK: H2(Gal(LK),A L) 1 [L:K]

induced by the commutative diagram

Invariant maps for a class formation. A full diagram description follows.
Diagram description: Invariant maps for a class formation

The structural squares and triangles displayed here commute.

Objects, listed by row and column:

  • Row 1, from left to right: column 1: 0; column 2: H superscript (2)( Gal (L / K),A subscript (L)); column 3: H superscript (2)(G subscript (K),A); column 4: H superscript (2)(G subscript (L),A).
  • Row 2, from left to right: column 1: 0; column 2: fraction (1) over ([L:K]) blackboard Z / blackboard Z; column 3: blackboard Q / blackboard Z; column 4: blackboard Q / blackboard Z.

Arrows and lines:

  1. An arrow from 0 (row 1, column 1) to H superscript (2)( Gal (L / K),A subscript (L)), without a label.
  2. An arrow from H superscript (2)( Gal (L / K),A subscript (L)) to H superscript (2)(G subscript (K),A), labelled Inf.
  3. A dashed arrow from H superscript (2)( Gal (L / K),A subscript (L)) to fraction (1) over ([L:K]) blackboard Z / blackboard Z, labelled inv subscript (L / K).
  4. An arrow from H superscript (2)(G subscript (K),A) to H superscript (2)(G subscript (L),A), labelled Res.
  5. An arrow from H superscript (2)(G subscript (K),A) to blackboard Q / blackboard Z (row 2, column 3), labelled inv subscript (K).
  6. An arrow from H superscript (2)(G subscript (L),A) to blackboard Q / blackboard Z (row 2, column 4), labelled inv subscript (L).
  7. An arrow from 0 (row 2, column 1) to fraction (1) over ([L:K]) blackboard Z / blackboard Z, without a label.
  8. An arrow from fraction (1) over ([L:K]) blackboard Z / blackboard Z to blackboard Q / blackboard Z (row 2, column 3), without a label.
  9. An arrow from blackboard Q / blackboard Z (row 2, column 3) to blackboard Q / blackboard Z (row 2, column 4), labelled [L:K].

Remark 8.1.5.

For all purposes below, we may weaken the statement that invL is an isomorphism in the definition of a class formation to being an injection, so long as invML is supposed to be an isomorphism for all finite separable extensions ML.

Definition 8.1.6.

The unique element αLE H2(Gal(LE),AL) with invLE(αLE) = 1 [L:E] is called the fundamental class for LE.

As a consequence of Remark 8.1.4, we may apply Tate’s theorem to obtain the following result.

Proposition 8.1.7.

For any finite Galois extension L of K, there is an canonical isomorphism Gal(LK)ab AKNLK(AL) given by cup product with the fundamental class αLK:

𝜃LK: H^2(Gal(LK),) H^0(Gal(LK),A L),𝜃LK(β) = αLKβ.

Definition 8.1.8.

Let L be a finite Galois extension of K. The reciprocity map for LK with respect to the class formation (A,inv) for K is the map

ρLK: AK Gal(LK)ab

that factors through the inverse AKNLKAL Gal(LK) of the isomorphism 𝜃LK of Proposition 8.1.7.

Lemma 8.1.9.

Let G be a finite group, let σ G with image σ¯ Gab, and let χ : G be a homomorphism. Viewing σ¯ as an element of H^2(G,) and χ H1(G,), we have

σ¯χ = χ(σ) ,

noting that H^1(G,) 1 |G|.

Proof.

Consider the connecting homomorphisms δ and δ for the sequence

0 IG [G] 0

and its -dual

0 Hom([G],) Hom(IG,) 0.

The image of σ¯ in H^1(G,IG) is the image of σ 1 in IGIG2, and the inverse image of χ in H^0(G,Hom(IG,)) is class of the homomorphism f that takes τ 1 for τ G to χ(τ). We then have

σ¯χ = δ(σ¯)(δ)1(χ) = f(σ 1) = χ(σ).

Proposition 8.1.10.

Let L be a finite Galois extension of K, and let δ denote the connecting homomorphism for the exact sequence 0 0 of Gal(LK)-modules. For any homomorphism χ : Gal(LK) , we have

invLK(aδ(χ)) = χ(ρLK(a))

for all a AK.

Proof.

Note that αLKρLK(a) = a¯ by definition of ρLK, viewing its image as the group H^2(Gal(LK),), where a¯ denotes the image of a in AKNLKAL. By the associativity of cup products and property (iii) of their definition, we have

αLKδ(ρLK(a)χ) = αLKρLK(a)δ(χ) = a¯δ(χ).

The composition of the canonical maps

1[L:K] H^1(Gal(LK),) H^0(Gal(LK),) [L : K]

is the isomorphism induced by multiplication by [L : K] (since the norm for Gal(LK) acts as multiplication by [L : K] on ). By definition of αLK and the latter fact, we have

invLK(αLKδ(ρLK(a)χ)) = δ(ρLK(a)χ)invLK(αLK) = ρLK(a)χ = χ(ρLK(a)),

the final step from Lemma 8.1.9.

Corollary 8.1.11.

Let L M be finite Galois extensions of K. Then

ρMK(a)|L = ρLK(a)

for all a AK.

Proof.

Let χ : Gal(LK) be a homomorphism, which we may view as a homomorphism on Gal(MK) (and its abelianization) as well. It suffices to show that for any such χ, we have χ(ρMK(a)) = χ(ρLK(a)). For this, it sufficient by Proposition 8.1.10 to show that

invMK(aδ(χ)) = invLK(aδ(χ)),

where abusing notation. Since invLK = invMKInf, where

Inf: Hi(Gal(LK),A L) Hi(Gal(MK),A M)

is inflation, this is clear from the compatibility of cup products with inflation.

We may now define the reciprocity map.

Definition 8.1.12.

The reciprocity map for K with respect to the class formation (A,inv) for K is the map

ρK: AK GKab

defined as the inverse limit of the reciprocity maps ρEK: AK Gal(EK)ab over finite Galois extensions of E in a separable closure of K.

The following theorem, which is immediate from the definitions, is called a reciprocity law.

Theorem 8.1.13 (Reciprocity law for class formations).

Let K be a field and (A,inv) a class formation for K, and let ρK: K× GKab. For any finite Galois extension LK, the composition of ρK with restriction induces a surjective map ρLK: K× Gal(LK)ab with kernel NLKL×.

Remark 8.1.14.

A class formation for K gives rise to a class formation for any finite separable extension L of K, with the same module A and with the subcollection of invariant maps for finite separable extensions of L. Therefore, we obtain reciprocity maps ρL: AL GLab for all finite separable LK from a class formation for K.

We next turn to properties of the reciprocity map. First, we need to describe a certain abstract group homomorphism.

Lemma 8.1.15.

Let G be a group and H a subgroup of finite index n. Let X = {x1,x2,,xn} be a set of left H-coset representatives in G. Given g G and xi X, let 1 g(i) n and ti(g) H be such that

gxi = xg(i)ti(g).

Then the element V (g) of Hab that is represented by the element t1(g)t2(g)tn(g) is independent of all choices, and this induces a homomorphism V : Gab Hab.

Proof.

Note that G acts on the set of left H-cosets by left multiplication. If we replace a single xi by xih for some h H, then gxih = xjti(g)h, so ti(g) is replaced by h1ti(g)h if g(i) = i and ti(g)h if g(i)i. In the latter case, gxg1(i) = xitg1(i)(g), and then tg1(i)(g) is replaced by h1tg1(i)(g). For all other j, the quantity tj(g) is unchanged. As the product t1(g)t2(g)tn(g) is taken in Hab, it is unchanged since the overall effect of the change is multiplication by hh1. Similarly, if the ordering of the xi is changed, then the order of the ti(g) is likewise changed, but this does not matter in Hab. Thus V (g) is well-defined.

To see that V is a homomorphism, we merely note that

ggx i = gxg(i)ti(g) = x gg(i)ti(g)ti(g)

and again that multiplication is commutative in Hab.

Definition 8.1.16.

Let G be a group and H be a subgroup of finite index. The homomorphism V : Gab Hab constructed in Lemma 8.1.15 is known as the transfer map (or Verlagerung) between G and H.

Lemma 8.1.17.

Let G be a group and H a subgroup of finite index. We have a commutative diagram

Restriction on first homology and group transfer. A full diagram description follows.
Diagram description: Restriction on first homology and group transfer

The structural squares and triangles displayed here commute.

Objects, listed by row and column:

  • Row 1, from left to right: column 1: H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ); column 2: H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ).
  • Row 2, from left to right: column 1: G superscript (ab); column 2: H superscript (ab).

Arrows and lines:

  1. An arrow from H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ) to H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ), labelled Res.
  2. An arrow from H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ) to G superscript (ab), labelled isomorphism symbol.
  3. An arrow from H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) to H superscript (ab), labelled isomorphism symbol.
  4. An arrow from G superscript (ab) to H superscript (ab), labelled V.

where the vertical maps are the canonical isomorphisms and V is the transfer map and a commutative diagram

Corestriction on first homology and subgroup inclusion. A full diagram description follows.
Diagram description: Corestriction on first homology and subgroup inclusion

The structural squares and triangles displayed here commute.

Objects, listed by row and column:

  • Row 1, from left to right: column 1: H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ); column 2: H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ).
  • Row 2, from left to right: column 1: H superscript (ab); column 2: G superscript (ab).

Arrows and lines:

  1. An arrow from H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) to H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ), labelled Cor.
  2. An arrow from H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) to H superscript (ab), labelled isomorphism symbol.
  3. An arrow from H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ) to G superscript (ab), labelled isomorphism symbol.
  4. An arrow from H superscript (ab) to G superscript (ab), without a label.

where the lower horizontal map is induced by the inclusion map.

Proof.

Recall that the vertical isomorphism is given by the series of canonical isomorphisms

H1(G,)H0(G,IG)IGIG2Gab.

As restriction is a δ-functor, we have a commutative diagram

Restriction through augmentation ideals. A full diagram description follows.
Diagram description: Restriction through augmentation ideals

The structural squares and triangles displayed here commute.

Objects, listed by row and column:

  • Row 1, from left to right: column 1: H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ); column 2: H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ); column 3: H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ).
  • Row 2, from left to right: column 1: H subscript (0)(G,I subscript (G)); column 2: H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (G)); column 3: H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (H)).

Arrows and lines:

  1. An arrow from H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ) to H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) (row 1, column 2), labelled Res.
  2. An arrow from H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ) to H subscript (0)(G,I subscript (G)), labelled isomorphism symbol.
  3. A hooked arrow from H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) (row 1, column 2) to H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (G)), without a label.
  4. Equality joins H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) (row 1, column 2) and H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) (row 1, column 3), without a label.
  5. An arrow from H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) (row 1, column 3) to H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (H)), labelled isomorphism symbol.
  6. An arrow from H subscript (0)(G,I subscript (G)) to H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (G)), labelled Res.
  7. An arrow from H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (H)) to H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (G)), without a label.

That is, our restriction map factors through IGIGIH. By the definition of restriction on 0th cohomology groups, we have

Res(g1 1) = i=1nx i1(g1 1) = i=1n((gx i)1 x i1)

where {x1,x2,,xn} is a set of left H-coset representatives in G. For ti(g) as in the definition of the transfer, this equals

i=1nt i(g)1x g(i)1 i=1nx i1 = i=1n(t i(g)11)x g(i)1 i=1n(t i(g)11) V i(g)11modI GIH.

Thus, the restriction map and the transfer agree.

The second statement follows easily from the commutative diagram

Corestriction through augmentation ideals. A full diagram description follows.
Diagram description: Corestriction through augmentation ideals

The structural squares and triangles displayed here commute.

Objects, listed by row and column:

  • Row 1, from left to right: column 1: H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ); column 2: H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ); column 3: H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ).
  • Row 2, from left to right: column 1: H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (H)); column 2: H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (G)); column 3: H subscript (0)(G,I subscript (G)).

Arrows and lines:

  1. Equality joins H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) (row 1, column 1) and H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) (row 1, column 2), without a label.
  2. An arrow from H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) (row 1, column 1) to H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (H)), labelled isomorphism symbol.
  3. A hooked arrow from H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) (row 1, column 2) to H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (G)), without a label.
  4. An arrow from H subscript (1)(H, blackboard Z ) (row 1, column 2) to H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ), labelled Cor.
  5. An arrow from H subscript (1)(G, blackboard Z ) to H subscript (0)(G,I subscript (G)), labelled isomorphism symbol.
  6. An arrow from H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (H)) to H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (G)), without a label.
  7. An arrow from H subscript (0)(H,I subscript (G)) to H subscript (0)(G,I subscript (G)), labelled Cor.

The reciprocity maps attached to a class formation satisfy the following compatibilities.

Proposition 8.1.18.

Let (A,inv) be a class formation for K, and let L be a finite separable extension of K. Then we have the following commutative diagrams:

a.
Reciprocity in a class formation: norm and restriction. A full diagram description follows.
Diagram description: Reciprocity in a class formation: norm and restriction

The structural squares and triangles displayed here commute.

Objects, listed by row and column:

  • Row 1, from left to right: column 1: A subscript (L); column 2: G subscript (L) superscript (ab).
  • Row 2, from left to right: column 1: A subscript (K); column 2: G subscript (K) superscript (ab).

Arrows and lines:

  1. An arrow from A subscript (L) to G subscript (L) superscript (ab), labelled rho subscript (L).
  2. An arrow from A subscript (L) to A subscript (K), labelled N subscript (L / K).
  3. An arrow from G subscript (L) superscript (ab) to G subscript (K) superscript (ab), labelled R subscript (L / K).
  4. An arrow from A subscript (K) to G subscript (K) superscript (ab), labelled rho subscript (K).

where RLK denotes the restriction map on Galois groups,

b.
Reciprocity in a class formation: inclusion and transfer. A full diagram description follows.
Diagram description: Reciprocity in a class formation: inclusion and transfer

The structural squares and triangles displayed here commute.

Objects, listed by row and column:

  • Row 1, from left to right: column 1: A subscript (K); column 2: G subscript (K) superscript (ab).
  • Row 2, from left to right: column 1: A subscript (L); column 2: G subscript (L) superscript (ab).

Arrows and lines:

  1. An arrow from A subscript (K) to G subscript (K) superscript (ab), labelled rho subscript (K).
  2. An arrow from A subscript (K) to A subscript (L), without a label.
  3. An arrow from G subscript (K) superscript (ab) to G subscript (L) superscript (ab), labelled V subscript (L / K).
  4. An arrow from A subscript (L) to G subscript (L) superscript (ab), labelled rho subscript (L).

where the map AK AL is the natural injection and VLK: GKab GLab is the transfer map, and

c.
Reciprocity in a class formation: conjugation. A full diagram description follows.
Diagram description: Reciprocity in a class formation: conjugation

The structural squares and triangles displayed here commute.

Objects, listed by row and column:

  • Row 1, from left to right: column 1: A subscript (L); column 2: G subscript (L) superscript (ab).
  • Row 2, from left to right: column 1: A subscript (sigma (L)); column 2: G subscript (sigma (L)) superscript (ab).

Arrows and lines:

  1. An arrow from A subscript (L) to G subscript (L) superscript (ab), labelled rho subscript (L).
  2. An arrow from A subscript (L) to A subscript (sigma (L)), labelled sigma.
  3. An arrow from G subscript (L) superscript (ab) to G subscript (sigma (L)) superscript (ab), labelled sigma superscript (star).
  4. An arrow from A subscript (sigma (L)) to G subscript (sigma (L)) superscript (ab), labelled rho subscript (sigma (L)).

for each embedding σ : LKsep, where σ denotes the map induced by conjugation τ𝜎𝜏σ1 for τ GL.

Proof.

Fix a Galois extension M of K containing L. The norm NLK: AL AK induces corestriction from Gal(ML) to Gal(MK) on zeroth Tate cohomology groups, and

RLK: Gal(ML)ab Gal(MK)ab

coincides with corestriction on Tate cohomology groups of in degree 2 by Lemma 8.1.17. Part a then follows from Proposition 1.9.10c, which tells us that

Cor(αMLβ) = αMKCor(β)

for β H^0(Gal(ML),AM), since Res(αMK) = αML.

The injection AK AL induces restriction on H^0(Gal(MK),AL), and the transfer map VLK coincides with restriction on H^2(Gal(MK),), again by Lemma 8.1.17. Part b then follows from Proposition 1.9.10a, which tells us that

Res(αMKβ) = αLKRes(β)

for β H^0(Gal(MK),AM).

We leave part c as an exercise for the reader.

8.2. Norm groups

Let us fix a field K and a class formation (A,inv) for K.

Definition 8.2.1.

A subgroup 𝒩 of A is called a norm group for the class formation (A,inv) if there exists a finite separable extension L of K with 𝒩 = NLKAL.

Notation 8.2.2.

For a finite extension L of K, let us set 𝒩L = NLKAL.

Lemma 8.2.3.

Let M and L be finite separable extensions of K with L M. Then 𝒩M 𝒩L.

Proof.

This is the following straightforward calculation using Proposition 1.3.6:

𝒩M = NMKAL = NML(NLKAL) NMLAK = 𝒩K.

Lemma 8.2.4.

Let L be a finite separable extension of K, and let E be the maximal abelian extension of K in L. Then 𝒩L = 𝒩E.

Proof.

It suffices to show that any a 𝒩E is contained in 𝒩L. Let M be a finite Galois extension of K containing L. Set G = Gal(MK) and H = Gal(ML). By definition, we have ρEK(a) = 1, so τ = ρMK(a) Gab maps trivially to Gal(EK) = G([G,G]H) by Corollary 8.1.11. In other words τ is the image of some element σ in Hab. By the surjectivity of the reciprocity map ρML: AL Hab and there exists b AL such that ρML(b) = σ. By Proposition 8.1.18a, we then have

ρMK(NLK(b)) = ρMK(a),

so aNLK(b) = NMK(c) for some c AM. It follows that a = NLK(bNML(c)), as desired.

The following corollary is essentially immediate.

Corollary 8.2.5.

Every norm group 𝒩 of (A,inv) has finite index in AK, with [AK : 𝒩] [L : K] for 𝒩 = 𝒩L, with equality if and only if LK is abelian.

We next show that the map that takes a finite extension L of K to NLKAL is an inclusion-reversing bijection from finite abelian extensions of K to norm groups.

Proposition 8.2.6.

For any finite abelian extensions L and M of K, we have the following:

a.

𝒩L𝒩M = 𝒩𝐿𝑀,

b.

𝒩L+𝒩M = 𝒩LM,

c.

𝒩M 𝒩L if and only if L M,

d.

for any subgroup 𝒜 of AK containing 𝒩L, there exists an intermediate field E in LK with 𝒜 = 𝒩E.

Proof.

a.

Let a AK. We have a 𝒩𝐿𝑀 if and only if ρK(a)|𝐿𝑀 is trivial, which occurs if and only if ρK(a)|L and ρK(a)|M are both trivial, and so if and only if a 𝒩L and a 𝒩M.

c.

By Lemma 8.2.3, if L M, then 𝒩M 𝒩L. On the other hand, if 𝒩M 𝒩L, then by part (a) we have

𝒩𝐿𝑀 = 𝒩L𝒩M = 𝒩M.

By Corollary 8.2.5, this implies that [𝐿𝑀 : K] = [M : K], so 𝐿𝑀 = M, and therefore L M.

d.

Let E = LρLK(𝒜). Then ρLK induces an injective homomorphism

𝒜𝒩L Gal(LE)

that must be an isomorphism as ρLK(𝒜) does not fix any larger subfield of L than E. The kernel of ρEK, being that ρEK is the composite of ρLK with restriction, is then ρLK1(Gal(LE)) = 𝒜. But we know from the reciprocity law that the kernel is 𝒩E.

b.

By part (d), the group 𝒜 = 𝒩L+𝒩M is equal to 𝒩E for some finite abelian EK which by part (c) is contained in both L and M. On the other hand, we clearly have that 𝒜 is contained in 𝒩LM, so again by (c), the field E contains LM as well.

The following corollary is nearly immediate from part (c) of Proposition 9.2.8.

Corollary 8.2.7 (Uniqueness theorem).

For a norm subgroup 𝒩 of AK, there exists a unique finite abelian extension LK such that 𝒩 = 𝒩L.

Notation 8.2.8.

For a finite separable extension L of K, we set DL = kerρL.

Lemma 8.2.9.

For any finite extension L of K in a fixed separable closure Ksep, we have

DL = MELNMLAM,

where EL is the set of finite abelian (or separable) extensions of L in Ksep.

Proof.

We have a kerρL if and only if ρML(a) = ρL(a)|M = 1 for all finite abelian M over L, and kerρML = NMLAM.

Definition 8.2.10.

We say that a class formation (A,inv) for K is topological if A is given an additional Hausdorff topology under which it becomes a topological GK-module with the following properties:

i.

the norm map NML: AM AL has closed image and compact kernel for each finite extension ML of finite separable extensions of K,

ii.

for each prime p, there exists a finite separable extension Kp over K such that for all finite separable extensions L of Kp, the kernel of ϕp: AL AL by ϕp(a) = 𝑝𝑎 for a AL is compact and the image of ϕp contains DL, and

iii.

for each finite separable extension L of K, there exists a compact subgroup UL of AL such that every closed subgroup of finite index in AL that contains UL is a norm group.

Remark 8.2.11.

The norm map NML: AM AL for a finite extension of finite separable extensions is continuous if A is a topological GK-module, since it is a sum of continuous maps induced by field embeddings of M in its Galois closure over L.

The following proposition uses only the property (i) of a topological class formation.

Proposition 8.2.12.

Let (A,inv) be a topological class formation for K. For any finite separable extension L of K, we have NLKDL = DK.

Proof.

Let EL be the set of finite abelian (or separable) extensions of L in Ksep (and likewise with K). We have

NLK ( MELNMLAM) MELNMKAM = MEKNMKAM,

the last step noting Lemma 8.2.3, and thus NLKDL DK.

Fix a DK. For any finite separable ML, the set

YM = NMLAMNLK1(a)

is compact since NMKAM is closed and NLK1(a) is compact by Definition 8.2.10(i). Since a DK, there exists b AM with NMK(b) = a, and then NML(b) YM. Thus YM is nonempty. Note that if MM is finite separable, then YM YM, and so the YM form a collection of subsets of the compact space YL that satisfy the finite intersection property. We therefore have that the intersection of all YM is nonempty, so contains an element b. Then NLK(b) = a , and b DL as it lies in every NMLAM. Thus, we have NLK(DL) = DK.

The next proposition uses properties (i) and (ii) of a topological class formation.

Proposition 8.2.13.

Let (A,inv) be a topological class formation for K. Then DK is divisible, equal to n=1nAK.

Proof.

To see that DK is divisible, it suffices to show that DK = pDK for all primes p. Fix a DK. Let L be a finite separable extension of K containing Kp. Set

XL = 𝒩Lϕp1(a),

where ϕp: AL AL is the multiplication-by-p map. By (i) of Definition 8.2.10, the set 𝒩L is closed, and by (ii), the set ϕp1(a) is compact, so XL is compact. By Proposition 8.2.12, there exists x DL with a = NLKx. By Definition 8.2.10(ii), there exists y DL with 𝑝𝑦 = x, and we set b = NLKy. Then b XL, so XL is nonempty. Again, if ML is finite separable, then XM XL. It follows as in the proof of Proposition 8.2.12 that the intersection of all XL as L varies is nonempty, so contains some element c. By definition, we have c DK and 𝑝𝑐 = b. Thus DK = pDK.

Since DK AK, we have

DK = n=1nD K n=1nA K.

Suppose, on the other hand, that a n=1nAK. Let b AK with 𝑛𝑏 = a for n 1. Take any finite separable extension LK, and set n = [L : K] Then NLK(b) = 𝑛𝑏 = a, so a NLKAL. Since L was arbitrary, we have a DL.

We are now ready to prove the existence theorem for topological class formations, which tells us that given a closed subgroup 𝒩 of finite index in AK, there exists a finite separable extension LK with 𝒩 = 𝒩L. Since a topological class formation for K gives rise to a topological class formation for any finite extension of K (in that the existence of UL in condition (iii) is assumed for all finite separable LK, and not just for K), this result for norm groups of K implies the analogous result for norm groups over finite separable extensions.

Theorem 8.2.14 (Existence theorem).

Let (A,inv) be a topological class formation for K. A subgroup of AK is a norm group if and only if it is closed of finite index in AK.

Proof.

If a subgroup is a norm group, then it is of finite index by the reciprocity law and is closed in AK by Definition 8.2.10(i).

Conversely, if 𝒩 is a closed subgroup of AK of finite index, set n = [AK : 𝒩]. Then nAK 𝒩, so DK 𝒩 by Proposition 8.2.13. Let UK be as in Definition 8.2.10(iii). Then for any norm subgroup M of AK, the sets MUK are compact. The intersection of the MUK over all norm groups M is equal to DKUK, so is contained in the open set 𝒩. Since the intersection of all MUK with AK𝒩 would be nonempty if each intersection were, there exists a norm group M with MUK 𝒩.

Let a M(UK+M𝒩), and write a = u+v with u UK and v M𝒩. Then u = av M, so u UKM, so u 𝒩, and thus a 𝒩. Thus, we have

M(UK+M𝒩) 𝒩.

Since M𝒩 is closed of finite index, so is UK+M𝒩, and thus it is a norm group by Definition 8.2.10(iii). Then M(UK+M𝒩) is a norm group by Proposition 9.2.8a, and 𝒩 is a norm group by Proposition 9.2.8d.

Proposition 8.2.15.

Let (A,𝑖𝑛𝑣) be a topological class formation for K. Then the reciprocity map

ρK: AK GKab

is continuous with dense image.

Proof.

To see that ρK is continuous, we need only note that the inverse image 𝒩L of the open neighborhood Gal(KabL) of 1, for LK finite abelian, is open by property (i) of Definition 8.2.10.

The closure of the image of ρK is obviously a closed subgroup of GKablimLGal(LK), so equal to Gal(KabM) for some MK abelian. As it also surjects onto each of the finite quotients Gal(LK) since each ρLK is surjective, we must have M = K. Thus, ρK has dense image.

8.3. Class field theory over finite fields

Class field theory for finite fields is rather simple, the reciprocity map being injection of into the absolute Galois group of the field that takes 1 to the Frobenius automorphism. However, it allows us to give a toy example of a class formation that illustrates the theory we have developed.

Proposition 8.3.1.

For any prime p and all powers q of p, there are canonical isomorphisms inv: H2(G𝔽q,) for all powers q of p such that (,inv) is a class formation for 𝔽p.

Proof.

For positive n, we have

H1(G𝔽 qn,) = Homcts(G𝔽qn,),

and the latter group is zero since the image of any continuous homomorphism of a compact Hausdorff group with values in a discrete group is finite, and the only finite subgroup of is trivial.

Consider the exact sequence

0 0.

For i 1, we have

Hi(G𝔽 qn,) = limmHi(Gal(𝔽 qm𝔽qn),) = 0,

where the direct limit is taken over multiples of n, since Hi(Gal(𝔽qm𝔽qn),) has exponent dividing mn but is also a -vector space. Thus, we have isomorphisms

H2(G𝔽 qn,) H1(G𝔽 qn,) = Homcts(G𝔽qn,) Homcts(^,) , (8.3.1)

the latter map being given by evaluation at 1, and through these we obtain a map

inv𝔽qn: H2(G𝔽 qn,) .

For nm, we have a commutative diagram

Finite-field invariant maps under restriction. A full diagram description follows.
Diagram description: Finite-field invariant maps under restriction

The structural squares and triangles displayed here commute.

Objects, listed by row and column:

  • Row 1, from left to right: column 1: H superscript (2)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (n))), blackboard Z ); column 2: H superscript (2)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (m))), blackboard Z ).
  • Row 2, from left to right: column 1: H superscript (1)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (n))), blackboard Q / blackboard Z ); column 2: H superscript (2)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (m))), blackboard Q / blackboard Z ).
  • Row 3, from left to right: column 1: blackboard Q / blackboard Z; column 2: blackboard Q / blackboard Z.

Arrows and lines:

  1. An arrow from H superscript (2)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (n))), blackboard Z ) to H superscript (2)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (m))), blackboard Z ), labelled Res subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (m)) / blackboard F subscript (q superscript (n))).
  2. An arrow from H superscript (2)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (n))), blackboard Z ) to H superscript (1)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (n))), blackboard Q / blackboard Z ), labelled isomorphism symbol.
  3. An arrow from H superscript (2)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (m))), blackboard Z ) to H superscript (2)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (m))), blackboard Q / blackboard Z ), labelled isomorphism symbol.
  4. An arrow from H superscript (1)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (n))), blackboard Q / blackboard Z ) to H superscript (2)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (m))), blackboard Q / blackboard Z ), labelled Res subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (m)) / blackboard F subscript (q superscript (n))).
  5. An arrow from H superscript (1)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (n))), blackboard Q / blackboard Z ) to blackboard Q / blackboard Z (row 3, column 1), labelled inv subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (n))) and isomorphism symbol.
  6. An arrow from H superscript (2)(G subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (m))), blackboard Q / blackboard Z ) to blackboard Q / blackboard Z (row 3, column 2), labelled isomorphism symbol and inv subscript (blackboard F subscript (q superscript (m))).
  7. An arrow from blackboard Q / blackboard Z (row 3, column 1) to blackboard Q / blackboard Z (row 3, column 2), labelled fraction (m) over (n).

To see the commutativity of the lower square, note that the homomorphism that sends the Frobenius element φn in G𝔽qn to 1 restricts to a homomorphism sending the Frobenius φm = φnmn to mn, and the invariant map for n (resp., m) sends the homomorphism that takes φn (resp., φm) to 1 to the element 1 . Thus, (,inv) is a class formation for 𝔽q.

Let us fix the class formation (,inv) of Proposition 8.3.1 each prime p in order to discuss reciprocity maps and norm groups.

Proposition 8.3.2.

For a prime power q, the reciprocity map

ρ𝔽q: G𝔽q

satisfies ρ𝔽q(1) = φ, where φ is the Frobenius element in G𝔽q.

Proof.

Let n 1, and consider the homomorphism χ : Gal(𝔽qn𝔽q) that takes (the restriction of) φ to 1n. Let δ denote the connecting homomorphism arising from the sequence 0 0. By Proposition 8.1.10, as required, we have

χ(ρ𝔽qn𝔽q(1)) = inv𝔽qn𝔽q(1δ(χ)) = inv𝔽qn𝔽q(δ(χ)) = 1 n,

the last equality following from the construction of the invariant map in (8.3.1).

The following should already be clear.

Proposition 8.3.3.

Let q be a prime power.

a.

For any n 1, the reciprocity map

ρ𝔽qn𝔽q: Gal(𝔽qn𝔽q)

is a surjection with kernel 𝑛ℤ.

b.

The map ρ𝔽q is injective with dense image. With respect to the discrete topology on , it is continuous.

c.

The map that takes 𝑛ℤ, for n 1, to 𝔽qn is a bijection between (closed) subgroups of (under the discrete topology) and finite (abelian) extensions of 𝔽q in an algebraic closure of 𝔽q.

The third part of Proposition 8.3.3 does not provide such a great example of the theory of norm groups, in that the discrete topology makes the class formation (,inv) topological, with D𝔽q and U𝔽q in Definition 8.2.10 both the zero group.

Find in the notes