Irreducible polynomials over finite fields. I (Q1892822)

For \(q\) a prime power, let \(F_q\) denote the finite field of order \(q\). Let \(P_n (a_{i_1}, \dots, a_{i_k})\) be the number of monic polynomials \(x^n+ a_1 x^{n-1}+ \cdots+ a_n\) over the field \(F_q\) with fixed coefficients \(a_{i_1}, \dots, a_{i_k}\). Let \(H_n (a_{i_1}, \dots, a_{i_k})\) be the number of polynomials in the set \(P_n (a_{i_1}, \dots, a_{i_k})\). Various authors have studied the function \(H_n\). In particular \textit{L. Carlitz} [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 3, 693-700 (1952; Zbl 0048.02701)]\ determined a formula for \(H_n (a_1)\) and the author gave a formula for \(H_n (a_1, a_2)\) in [Sov. Math. Dokl. 42, 45-48 (1991); translation from Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 313, 552-555 (1991; Zbl 0729.11064)]\ and [Sib. Math. J. 32, 982-989 (1991); translation from Sib. Mat. Zh. 32, 100-108 (1991; Zbl 0774.11071)]. In [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 6, 93-102 (1972; Zbl 0253.12019)]\ \textit{S. D. Cohen} studied the asymptotic behavior of the function \(H_n (a_{i_1}, \dots, a_{i_k})\) and showed that in some sense the irreducible polynomials are uniformly distributed. In the present paper the author determines the number \(H_4 (a_1, a_2, a_3)\). While the general result is too complicated to state here, we mention the following special case: If \(q= 3m+ 1\), \(a\in F^*_q\), then \[ H_4 (0, 0, a)= {\textstyle {1\over 4}} (q- 2 \text{ Re} [((a)- \eta (-1) \overline {\lambda} (a/2)) J(\lambda, \lambda)]- \eta (-1)), \] where \(\eta\) is a quadratic character of \(F_q\), \(\lambda\) is a nontrivial cubic character, and \(J(\lambda, \lambda)\) is a known Jacobi sum.