An arithmetic formula for a topological invariant of Siegel modular varieties (Q1373499)

Let \({\mathfrak a}\) be an integral ideal in the totally real number field \(F\). Then the congruence subgroup \(\Gamma({\mathfrak a})= \Gamma\) attached to \({\mathfrak a}\) acts on the Siegel upper half space \(X\) attached to \(Sp_n\times F\). Let \(E\) be a finite-dimensional complex representation of \(Sp_n(F\otimes_{\mathbb{Q}} \mathbb{R})\) and let \(\widetilde{E}\) be the corresponding locally constant sheaf on \(\Gamma\smallsetminus X\). The cohomology \(H^* (\Gamma\smallsetminus X, \widetilde{E})\) is expressible in terms of automorphic forms. In the paper under review the authors compute the Lefschetz number \(L(\tau, \Gamma,E)\) of the Cartan involution \(\tau\) which acts on \(\Gamma\smallsetminus X\). This Lefschetz number is expressed as a product of special values of certain \(L\)-functions attached to \(F\).