Classification of \(L\)-functions of degree 2 and conductor 1 (Q2172211)

Let \(S^\#\) be the Selberg class which consists of functions \(F(s)\) of a complex variable \(s=\sigma+it\) enjoying certain analytic properties such that \(F(s)=\sum_n a_nn^{-s}\) is an absolutely convergent Dirichlet series for \(\sigma >1\) and satisfies \((s-1)^mF(s)\) is entire of finite order for some integer \(m\) with a functional equation of the usual type. There are various conjectures on such functions which can be viewed as a very low-brow alternative to the Langlands philosophy. In the paper under review, the authors introduce a new numerical invariant \(\chi_F\) namely eigenweight of \(F\) which can be easily expressed in terms of some classical \(H\)-invariants. More precisely, it is shown that if the degree of \(F\) is \(2\) and the normalized conductor is \(1\), then \(\chi_F\) is a real number. Furthermore, if \(\chi_F>0\) then \(F(s)=L(s+\frac{k-1}{2},f)\) for some holomorphic cusp form \(f\) of level \(1\) and even integral weight \(k = 1 + \sqrt{2\chi_F}\). If \(\chi_F<0\), then \(F(s)=L(s,u)\) for some Maass form \(u\) of level \(1\) and weight \(0\). Finally, if \(\chi_F=0\), then \(F(s)=\zeta(s)^2\), where \(\zeta(s)\) is the Riemann zeta function. As a consequence, it is shown that such functions \(F\) of degree \(2\) and conductor \(1\) are automorphic \(L\)-functions.