Pointwise bound for \(\ell \)-torsion in class groups: elementary abelian extensions (Q2661307)

For an algebraic number field \(L\), let \(Cl_L\) be the class group of \(L\) and, for an integer \(\ell\), let \(Cl_L[\ell]\) be the \(\ell\)-torsion part of \(Cl_L\). The main result in this paper is the following. Let \(p\) be a prime. Given \(A=(\mathbb Z/p\mathbb Z)^r\) where \(r>1\), and an integer \(\ell>1\), there exists \(\delta(\ell,p)>0\) such that for any \(A\)-extension \(L/\mathbb Q\), \[ |Cl_L[\ell]|=O_{\epsilon}(Disc(L)^{\frac{1}{2}-\delta(\ell,p)+\epsilon}). \] Analogues of this result are also proved over general base fields. It is noted that this is the first family of Galois groups \(G\) where \(\ell\)-torsion in class groups of \(G\)-extensions are bounded non-trivially and unconditionally for every integer \(\ell>1\). When \(r\) is sufficiently large, the unconditional pointwise bound obtained here improves on the previously best known bound obtained for general number fields under the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis by \textit{J. S. Ellenberg} and \textit{A. Venkatesh} [Int. Math. Res. Not. 2007, No. 1, Art. ID rnm002, 18 p (2007; Zbl 1130.11060)]. All results in this paper are effective. It is pointed out that the method used here does not extend to the case \(r=1\).