On power sums of polynomials over finite fields (Q1109819)

Let \(A=F_ q[T]\) be the polynomial ring over the Galois field \(F_ q\) with q elements and K its quotient field. If \(s_ i(k)=\sum a^ k\quad (a\in A\) monic of degree \( i),\) then \(s_ i=0\) for i large, and \(\sum s_ i(k)\quad (i\geq 0)\) appears as the value of the zeta function of K at -k. In this paper properties of the \(s_ i(k)\) are studied. For special values of k certain relations between \(s_ i(k)\) and the polynomial gamma function \(\Gamma_ k\) are proved. For k of the form \(q^ h-1\) a simple expression for \(s_ i(k)\) by means of elementary arithmetic functions is given. Further results concern the form and size of \(s_ i(k)\).