Unitary \(\mathrm{SK}_1\) of semiramified graded and valued division algebras. (Q692605)

The author develops the theory of \(\text{SK}_1\) for graded division algebras with unitary involution. Let us first describe the non-involutory case. Recall that for a central division algebra \(D\), \(\text{SK}_1(D)=D^{(1)}/D'\), where \(D^{(1)}\) is the group of elements of reduced norm \(1\) and \(D'=[D^*,D^*]\). The first nontrivial example was given by Platonov, and was shortly thereafter interpreted and generalized by Ershov, who considered tame and semiramified division algebras over a Henselian valued field \(K\). Ershov showed that when \(D\) is decomposably semiramified (DSR; i.e. a tensor product of cyclic tame and semiramified division algebras), then \(\text{SK}_1(D)\) is isomorphic to \(\widehat H^{-1}(H,\overline D^*)\) where \(H=\text{Gal}(\overline D/\overline K)\cong\Gamma_D/\Gamma_K\). This is generalized by \textit{R. Hazrat} and the author [in Isr. J. Math. 183, 117-163 (2011; Zbl 1238.16019)], giving an exact sequence \(H\wedge H\to\widehat H^{-1}(H,\overline D^*)\to\text{SK}_1(D)\to 0\), which coincides with the above when \(D\) is DSR. More generally, suppose \(\mathsf E\) is a semiramified central graded division algebra over a graded field \(\mathsf T\). Let \(\mathsf E\sim_g\mathsf I\otimes_{\mathsf T}\mathsf N\) be a graded decomposition as a tensor product of an inertial (= unramified) graded \(\mathsf T\)-algebra \(\mathsf I\) and a DSR \(\mathsf N\). In Theorem 3.7, \(\text{SK}_1(\mathsf E)\) is described as an explicit quotient of \(\widehat H^{-1}(\text{Gal}(\mathsf E_0,\mathsf T_0),\mathsf E_0^*)\). In particular if \(\mathsf E_0=L_1\otimes_{\mathsf T_0}L_2\) where \(L_i\) are cyclic over \(\mathsf T_0\), then \(\text{SK}_1(\mathsf E)\cong\text{Br}(\mathsf E_0/\mathsf T_0)/\langle\text{Dec}(\mathsf E_0/\mathsf T_0),[\mathsf I_0]\rangle\), where \(\text{Dec}(\mathsf E_0/\mathsf T_0)=\text{Br}(L_1/\mathsf T_0)\text{Br}(L_2/\mathsf T_0)\). Platonov's work was extended by Yanchevskiĭ to algebras with unitary involution. Recall that in this case \(\text{SK}_1(D,\tau)\) is the group of elements with symmetric reduced norm, modulo the subgroup generated by symmetric (invertible) elements. Let \(\mathsf T/\mathsf R\) be a quadratic Galois extension of graded fields which is inertial. Let \(\mathsf E\) be a semiramified \(\mathsf T\)-central graded division algebra with a unitary involution \(\tau\) over \(\mathsf R\). Theorem 7.1: assume \(\mathsf E\) is DSR for \(\mathsf T/\mathsf R\). Then \(\text{SK}_1(\mathsf E,\tau)\) is an explicitly given quotient of the group of elements of \(\mathsf E_0\) whose reduced norm is symmetric; and in particular if \(\mathsf E_0=L_1\otimes L_2\) where \(L_i\) are cyclic over \(\mathsf T_0\), then \(\text{SK}_1(\mathsf E,\tau)\cong\text{Br}(\mathsf E_0/\mathsf T_0;\mathsf R_0)/\text{Dec}(\mathsf E_0/\mathsf T_0;\mathsf R_0)\), where the nominator is the group of central simple algebras over \(\mathsf T_0\), split by \(\mathsf E_0\), with a unitary involution over \(\mathsf R_0\). The DSR assumption is removed in Theorem 7.3: assuming \(\mathsf E\) is semiramified, \(\text{SK}_1(\mathsf E,\tau)\) is described in terms of inertial and DSR components \(\mathsf I\), \(\mathsf N\) in a decomposition of \(\mathsf E\) as above. In particular if \(\mathsf E_0=L_1\otimes_{\mathsf T_0}L_2\) where \(L_i\) are cyclic over \(\mathsf T_0\), then \(\text{SK}_1(\mathsf E,\tau)\cong\text{Br}(\mathsf E_0/\mathsf T_0;\mathsf R_0)/\langle\text{Dec}(\mathsf E_0/\mathsf T_0;\mathsf R_0),[\mathsf I_0]\rangle\). An application of twisted cohomology (Section 5) is of independent interest: let \(M/F\) be a Galois extension with a quadratic subextension \(K/F\). Then \(\text{Br}(M/K;F)\) is isomorphic to \(H^2(\text{Gal}(M/F),\widetilde{M^*})\), where \(\widetilde{M^*}\) is \(M^*\) with the action twisted so that \(\text{Gal}(M/K)\) acts in the natural manner, and a generator of \(\text{Gal}(K/F)\) inverts.