The normal zeta function of the free class two nilpotent group on four generators. (Q2574971)

The normal zeta function of a finitely generated group \(G\) is given by the Dirichlet series \(\sum a_nn^{-s}\), where \(a_n\) is the number of normal subgroups of index \(n\) in \(G\). When \(G\) is nilpotent, this is a product of Euler-factors, and there are some very general results by \textit{F. J. Grunewald, D. Segal} and \textit{G. C. Smith} [Invent. Math. 93, No. 1, 185-223 (1988; Zbl 0651.20040)]. In the paper under review, for the free nilpotent group of class 2 on 4 generators it is proven that the Euler-factors are uniform, i.e., there is a rational polynomial \(W\) in two variables such that the Euler-factor at the prime \(p\) is given by \(W(p,p^{-s})\). The author also gives a functional equation for the Euler-factors. In order to get this, she has to modify and extend some arguments from the work of \textit{C. Voll}, [cf. Am. J. Math. 126, No. 5, 1005-1032 (2004; Zbl 1076.11050)]. The main tools are a handful of technical lemmas treating certain generating functions and Igusa-factors. Note, that \textit{C. Voll} gives general results for the normal zeta functions for all finitely generated free nilpotent groups of class two [in Math. Ann. 332, No. 1, 67-79 (2005; Zbl 1155.20308)].