Classes of order 4 in the strict class group of number fields and remarks on unramified quadratic extensions of unit type (Q2322853)

Let \(K\) be a number field of degree \(n\) over \(\mathbb{Q}\). Let \(E_K\) and \(E_K^+\) denote the group of units and the group of totally positive units of \(K\) respectively. Let \(\mathrm{rank}_2(A)\) denote the dimension of an elementary abelian 2-group \(A\). Let \(C_K\) denote the class group of \(K\) and \(C_K^+\) denote the strict class group of \(K\). Let \(K^{*+}\) denote the subgroup of totally positive elements of \(K^*\). Then the author, using \textit{J. V. Armitage} and \textit{A. Fröhlich} theorem [Mathematika 14, 94--98 (1967; Zbl 0149.29501)], proves in Theorem 1 (the first part of the paper) the following. If \(\mathrm{rank}_2(E_K^+/E_K^2)>\lfloor n/2 \rfloor\) then: (a) the sequence \(0\longrightarrow K^*/E_KK^{*+} \longrightarrow C_K^+ \longrightarrow C_K\longrightarrow 0\) does not split and (b) the \(4\)-rank of the strict class group is at least \(\mathrm{rank}_2(E_K^+/E_K^2)-\lfloor n/2 \rfloor\). In particular, if \(K\) is a totally real number field of degree \(n\) with a totally positive system of fundamental units, then the strict class group of \(K\) contains at least, \((n-1)/2\) for \(n\) odd and \(n/2-1\) for \(n\) even, independent elements of order \(4\). Let \(E_K^{\square+\square}\) denote the units in \(E_K\) that are the sum of two squares in K. Let \(E_{K,4}\) denote ``the units in \(E_K\) that are squares mod \(4\)''. The author in the second part of the paper, proves the following: \begin{itemize} \item[(a)] [\textit{C. Greither} and \textit{D. Hayes}, ``A note on the theorem of Armitage-Fröhlich'', Preprint] There are at least \(\mathrm{rank}_2(E_K^+/E_K^2)-\lfloor n/2 \rfloor\) independent unramified quadratic extensions \(K(\sqrt{\varepsilon})\) of unit type. \item[(b)] The unit \(\varepsilon \in E_K^+\) is a sum of two rational squares in \(K\), that is, \(\varepsilon \in E_K^{\square+\square}\) if and only if the quadratic Hilbert symbol \((\varepsilon,-1)_v\) is \(1\) at all primes \(v\) dividing \(2\) in \(K\). In particular every unit in \(E_{K,4}\cap E_K^+\) is a sum of two squares. \item[(c)] \(\mathrm{rank}_2(E_K^+/E_K^{\square+\square})\leq g-1\) where \(g\) is the number of primes dividing \(2\) in \(K\). In particular, for a real quadratic field \(K=\mathbb{Q}[\sqrt{d}]\) with squarefree integral \(d>0\) in which \(2\) is either ramified or inert, a unit is totally positive if and only if it is a sum of two squares in \(K\). \end{itemize} Finally the author works out the example of real quadratic fields \(\mathbb{Q}[\sqrt{d}]\) for a squarefree integral \(d>0\) in detail in this context.