On special elements in higher algebraic \(K\)-theory and the Lichtenbaum-Gross conjecture (Q436245)

The conjecture of Gross on the derivatives of Artin \(L\)-functions at a negative integer \(r\) is an analogue of Stark's Conjecture. The unit group is replaced by \(K_{1 - 2r}(F)\) in Gross' setup, where \(F\) is the extension field, and the Dirichlet regulator map is replaced by the Borel regulator map, or indeed the Beilinson regulator map, which is closely related. As originally formulated, Gross' Conjecture makes two assertions. Let \(L^*(r,\chi)\) be the leading coefficient of the Taylor series at \(s = r\) of the Artin \(L\)-function \(L(s,\chi)\) associated to a character \(\chi\). Firstly, the ratio of \(L^*(r,\chi)\) to an appropriate regulator value (depending on \(\chi\)) should be algebraic. Secondly, if \(\chi\) is replaced by one of its Galois conjugates, then the aforementioned ratio should be conjugated in the same way. Viewed on the correct level, Gross' Conjecture is a rationality statement, and an important goal is to formulate and prove integral refinements. The appropriate case of the Equivariant Tamagawa Number Conjecture (ETNC) is such a refinement, and Burns had already remarked on the idea that the truth of the ETNC should place bounds on special elements that, in a precise manner, realize the \(L\)-derivatives. (See Remark 5.1.5 in [\textit{D. Burns}, Pure Appl. Math. Q. 6, No. 1, 83--172 (2010; Zbl 1227.11118)]). The main conjecture in the article under review formulates a precise characterization of those elements, at least in a certain situation. The setting is as follows. Let \(F/k\) be a Galois extension of number fields with Galois group \(G\), let \(\chi\) be a character of \(G\), let \(E/\mathbb{Q}\) be a finite Galois extension, contained in \(\mathbb{C}\), over which \(\chi\) can be realized, and let \(\mathcal{O}\) be the ring of integers in \(E\). Also, let \(S\) be a finite set of places of \(k\) containing the infinite ones and let \(\sigma\) be an embedding of \(F\) in \(\mathbb{C}\). Then, roughly speaking, the main conjecture of the article predicts the existence of an element \(\epsilon_\sigma(\chi,S) \in \mathcal{O} \otimes_\mathbb{Z} K_{1 - 2r}(F)\) such that for all \(\gamma \in \mathrm{Gal}(E/\mathbb{Q})\), the regulator values of \(\epsilon_\sigma(\chi,S)^\gamma\) are given in terms of \(L_S'(r,\check{\chi}^\gamma)\), where \(\check{\chi}\) is the contragredient character of \(\chi\). To be more precise, the statement of the conjecture assumes that \(L_S(r,\check{\chi}) = 0\). However, the conjecture is only interesting when \(L_S'(r,\check{\chi}) \not= 0\), so in reality it concerns characters whose \(L\)-functions have order of vanishing equal to \(1\) at \(s = r\). (In this sense, it is akin to Tate's formulation of the integral version of Stark's Conjecture for \(L\)-functions with order of vanishing \(1\) at \(s = 0\), though it is worth emphasizing that the authors do not assume \(F/k\) to be abelian.) While the main emphasis of the article is on the order of vanishing \(1\) case, the authors do address higher orders of vanishing by showing that the so-called ``modified Lichtenbaum--Gross Conjecture'' implies the existence of elements, in some suitable exterior power of \(K\)-groups, whose regulators are connected with the higher derivatives of the \(L\)-functions. The article provides some evidence for its main conjecture. For example, the authors prove it in the case where the base field \(k\) is \(\mathbb{Q}\) and \(\chi(1) = 1\). The proof in that case uses cyclotomic elements in higher algebraic \(K\)-theory. They also show that if \(S\) contains the ramified places, then the conjecture holds if the modified Lichtenbaum--Gross Conjecture holds for \(\chi\). Numerical evidence is provided when \(k = \mathbb{Q}\), \(r = -1\), \(S\) is the set of infinite places, and \(\chi\) is a character falling into one of several types. Namely, the authors treat cases in which \(\chi\) is the character of a dihedral representation, a tetrahedral representation, the standard representation of \(S_5\), and a so called ``Tate--Buhler--Chinburg'' representation. The evidence takes the form of equalities checked to at least a hundred decimal places. We conclude by discussing one more important aspect of the article. The authors demonstrate that, if \(S\) contains the ramified places and the modified Lichtenbaum--Gross Conjecture holds for \(\chi\), then the element \(\epsilon_\sigma(\chi,S)\) gives rise to an annihilator element of a certain étale cohomology group, a group that the Quillin--Lichtenbaum Conjecture implies is isomorphic to an algebraic \(K\)-group in degree \(-2r\). Annihilators arising in a similar way were discussed by \textit{A. Nickel} in [Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 151, No. 1, 1--22 (2011; Zbl 1254.11096)]. The results in the article under review were obtained independently.