Higher arithmetic intersection theory (Q1731573)

Let \(X\) be a smooth projective variety over an arithmetic field. In [\textit{H. Gillet} and \textit{C. Soulé}, Publ. Math. Inst. Hautes Études Sci. 72, 94--174 (1990; Zbl 0741.14012)], Gillet and Soulé define the arithmetic Chow groups of \(X\), denoted by \(\widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X)\). The elements of \(\widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X)\) are classes of pairs \(\left(Z, g_Z\right)\) where \(Z\) is a codimension \(p\) subvariety of \(X\), and \(g_Z\) is a Green current for \(Z\). These arithmetic Chow groups satisfy the following desirable properties. \begin{itemize} \item[1.] They fit into an exact sequence \[ \operatorname{CH}^p(X,1) \xrightarrow[]{\rho_{\text{Be}}} \widetilde{\mathfrak{D}}^{2p-1}(X,p) \xrightarrow[]{a\;} \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X) \xrightarrow[]{\zeta\;} \operatorname{CH}^p(X) \longrightarrow 0, \] where \(\operatorname{CH}^p(X,1)\) is Bloch's higher Chow group [{S. Bloch}, Algebraic cycles and higher K theory, Adv. Math. 61, No. 3, 267--304 (1986; Zbl 0608.14004)]. The map \(\rho_{\text{Be}}\) is Beilinson's regulator, and \(\widetilde{\mathfrak{D}}^{2p-1}(X,p)\) is the quotient of the \((2p-1)\)'th graded piece of the Deligne complex \(\mathfrak{D}^*(X,p)\) by the image of its differential \(d_{\mathfrak{D}}\). \item[2.] There is an intersection pairing \[ \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X) \otimes \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^q(X) \longrightarrow \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^{p+q}(X) \] turning \(\bigoplus_{p\geq 0} \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X)\) into a graded commutative unitary algebra. \item[3.] There are well-defined pullback and pushforward morphisms of arithmetic cycles satisfying a projection formula. \item[4.] The intersection product, pullback and pushforward morphisms are compatible with the corresponding operations in the classical algebraic Chow groups. \end{itemize} In this article, a new definition of higher arithmetic Chow groups \(\widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,n)\) is given. These satisfy \(\widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,0) = \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X)\) and fit into an exact sequence \[ \operatorname{CH}^p(X,n+1) \xrightarrow[]{\rho_{\text{Be}}} \widetilde{\mathfrak{D}}^{2p-1}(X,p) \xrightarrow[]{a\;} \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,n) \xrightarrow[]{\zeta\;} \operatorname{CH}^p(X,n) \longrightarrow 0. \] Moreover, the authors define an intersection pairing between these higher arithmetic Chow groups and show that properties \((2)\) to \((4)\) of above are satsified. In particular, a new definition of height pairing between two higher algebraic cycles of complementary dimension with zero real regulator class is given. Other definitions of higher arithmetic Chow groups, which we denote by \(\widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,n)_{\text{Go}}\) and \(\widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,n)_{\text{BF}}\), were already given by [\textit{A.~B. Goncharov}, J. Am. Math. Soc. 18, No. 1, 1--60 (2005; Zbl 1104.11036)] and by the first author together with \textit{J.~I. Burgos Gil} [Comment. Math. Helv. 87, No. 3, 521--587 (2012; Zbl 1255.14020)], and with \textit{E. Feliu} and \textit{Y. Takeda} [Int. Math. Res. Not. IMRN, No. 1, 40--73 (2011; Zbl 1206.14046)], respectively. As is exaplianed in this article, the relationship between these higher arithmetic Chow groups is as follows. There is a map \(\omega \colon \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,n) \to \mathfrak{D}^{2p-n}(X)\), and writing \(\widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,n)^0 = \operatorname{ker}(\omega)\), we obtain \[ \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,n)_{\text{Go}} \simeq \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,n)_{\text{BF}} \simeq \begin{cases} \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,n), \quad &\text{for }n=0 \\ \widehat{\operatorname{CH}}^p(X,n)^0, &\text{for }n>0 \end{cases}. \] The first isomorphism was already given by the first author, Feliu and Takeda in [loc. cit.] The main achievement of this article is a definition of higher arithmetic Chow groups that is closer to the original definition by Gillet and Soulé of arithmetic Chow groups, and an intersection theory which can be seen as a natural generalization of the intersection theory of arithmetic Chow groups.