Central extensions of simply connected algebraic groups and Galois cohomology (Q1364423): Difference between revisions

Let \(G\) be a connected simply connected absolutely almost simple linear algebraic group over a field \(F\). The author constructs a central extension \[ 0\to H^2(\text{Gal}(\overline F/F),\mathbb{Z}/n\otimes\mathbb{Z}/n)\to\widetilde{G(F)}\to G(F)\to 1.\tag{1} \] Recall [\textit{H. Matsumoto}, Ann. Sci. Ec. Norm. Supér., IV. Sér. 2, 1-62 (1969; Zbl 0261.20025)] that when \(G\) is split and \(F\) is infinite, \(G(F)\) has a universal central extension \(1\to\pi_1(G(F))\to\widetilde{G(F)}\to G(F)\to 1\) whose kernel \(\pi_1(G(F))\) is given by (if \(G\) is not of type \(C_n\) (\(n\geq 1\))) the quotient \(K_2(F)\) of \(F^*\otimes F^*\) by the subgroup generated by \(\{x\otimes(1-x);\;x\in F^*,\;x\neq 1\}\). Thus the point of (1) is that it works even when \(G\) is not split. The author also applies the construction (1) to construct extensions of \(G(\mathbb{A})\) which split over \(G(F)\), by the group \(\mu(F)\) of roots of unity in \(F\) (here \(F\) is a global field and \(\mathbb{A}\) the ring of adeles over \(F\)). This result has recently been used by G. Prasad and A. Rapinchuk to precisely determine the metaplectic kernel of \(G\), when \(F\) is a global field.