Normalizers of non-split Cartan subgroups, modular curves, and the class number one problem (Q710512): Difference between revisions

This paper studies the use of modular curves associated to normalizers of non-split Cartan subgroups in giving proofs of the class number one problem. The main idea is that imaginary quadratic fields of class number one naturally give rise to distinct integral points on such modular curves. Thus, obtaining explicit equations for such modular curves and solving for its integral points yields a solution to the class number one problem. This method originated from \textit{K.\ Heegner} [Math. Z. 56, 227--253 (1952; Zbl 0049.16202)], but the modern formulation (cf.\ [\textit{J.-P.\ Serre}, Lectures on the Mordell-Weil theorem. Aspects of Mathematics. E 15. Wiesbaden: Vieweg (1997; Zbl 0863.14013)]) is cleaner and does not require delicate class field arguments such as in \textit{B. J.\ Birch} [Mathematika 16, 283--294 (1969; Zbl 0226.12005)]. The author gives a nice survey of the method, including references to previous work, and extends it in a number of ways. An explicit formula for the genus of \(X_{ns}^+(n)\) for an general integer \(n \geq 1\) is given. This allows the author to identify all possible modular curves of genus \(g \leq 2\) (and possibly composite level) which can be used to solve the class number one problem by this method. The levels which can be (but were not previously) used are \(n = 16, 20, 21\). The method is carried out on using these levels to give three new proofs of the class number one problem.