On the class groups of cyclotomic extensions in presence of a solution to Catalan's equation (Q2493058): Difference between revisions

The author completed the proof of the Catalan conjecture in a previous paper [J. Reine Angew. Math. 572, 167--195 (2004; Zbl 1067.11017)] where he proved that the Diophantine equation \(x^p - y^q = 1\) has no solutions in nonzero integers \(x\) and \(y\) for any odd primes \(p\) and \(q\). This paper is devoted to the proof that there are no nonzero integral solutions of \(x^p - y^q = 1\) if we assume that the odd primes \(p\) and \(q\) satisfy \(p\equiv1\pmod q\) or \(q\equiv1\pmod p\). The author explains that the aim of this paper is twofold. On the one hand this result is proven here algebraically while the proof of the corresponding part in the previous paper is based on Baker's theory of linear forms in logarithms; so a complete proof of Catalan's conjecture without the help of Baker's theory is given now. On the other hand the approach that uses only the annihilators of the relative class group reaches here some natural limitations and the understanding of these limitations led the author to the final solution of Catalan's conjecture. Hence this paper shows a missing link between Mihăilescu's earlier research and the final proof.