Local models for ramified unitary groups (Q1429137)

Let \(M_{r,s}\) denote the naive local model for the Shimura variety with the defining group \(G\) such that \(G\otimes \mathbb R=GU(r,s)\). \textit{G.~Pappas} [J.~Algebr.~Geom. 9, 577--605 (2000; Zbl 0978.14023)] showed that \(M_{r,s}\) is not flat in general and he defined a closed subscheme \(M_{r,s}^{\text{loc}}\) for which he conjectured to be flat and proved when \((r,s)=(n-1,1)\). In the present paper the author constructs a modification \(\tau:\mathcal M \to M_{r,s}^{\text{loc}}\) using a moduli problem. She shows that \(\mathcal M\) is a semi-stable model and describes explicitly the special fiber. Using these information, the author computes the alternating semi-simple trace of the geometric Frobenius on the stalks of the sheaf of tame nearby cycles. The paper is well-written and friendly to read.