Application of the Selberg trace formula to the Riemann-Roch theorem (Q1099297)

Let X be a compact Riemann surface of genus \(g\geq 2\). Then there exists a discrete cocompact strictly hyperbolic group \(\Gamma\) of linear fractional automorphisms of the open unit disk D such that \(X=\Gamma \setminus D\). When applied to automorphic forms for \(\Gamma\), the Riemann Roch theorem and the Selberg trace formula yield the same result for the dimensions of spaces of automorphic forms (see e.g. \textit{J. Fischer}, A approach to the Selberg trace formula via the Selberg zeta-function (1987; Zbl 0618.10029). Now the main objective of the paper under review is to prove that the Riemann-Roch theorem can be derived from the Selberg trace formula. The proof is based on the known classification of the irreducible unitary representations of the universal covering group of SU(1,1). The relation with group theory is established by means of automorphy factors.