The period-index problem for real surfaces (Q2335503)

Let \(\alpha\) be a Brauer class in the Brauer group of a field \(K\). The period \(\text{per}(\alpha)\) is the order of \(\alpha\) in \(\text{Br}(K)\) and the index \(\text{ind}(\alpha)\) is the greatest common divisor of the degrees of the finite field extensions \(L/K\) that split \(\alpha\). It is well-known that the period divides the index and that they have the same prime factors. The period-index problem is asking for the smallest \(l\) so that \(\text{ind}(\alpha)\mid \text{per}(\alpha)^l\). In the present paper, the author studies this question for Brauer classes over the function field of a real algebraic surface. Let \(S\) be a connected smooth projective surface over \(k\). \textit{A. J. de Jong} proves in [Duke Math. J. 123, No. 1, 71--94 (2004; Zbl 1060.14025)] that if \(k\) is algebraically closed, then the index and period coincide for every element in the Brauer group of the function field \(k(S)\). Furthermore, \textit{M. Lieblich} shows in [Ann. Math. (2) 182, No. 2, 391--427 (2015; Zbl 1337.14020)] that if \(k\) is a finite field, then \(\text{ind}(\alpha)| \text{per}(\alpha)^2\) for every \(\alpha \in \text{Br}(k(S))\). Finally, in [Invent. Math. 216, No. 2, 301--335 (2019; Zbl 1436.14040)], \textit{B. Antieau} et al. prove that if \(S\) is a geometrically integral surface over a \(p\)-adic field \(k\) and \(\alpha \in \text{Br}(k(S))\), has period relatively prime to \(6p\), then \(\text{ind}(\alpha)| \text{per}(\alpha)^4\). Let \(S\) be a connected smooth projective real surface and let \(\alpha\) be a Brauer class over the function field \(\mathbb{R}(S)\). The theorem of de Jong on the period-index problem for surfaces over the complex numbers and a norm argument imply that \(\text{ind}(\alpha)| \text{per}(\alpha)^2\). In the present paper, the author proves that period and index coincide whenever \(S\) has no real points (Theorem 0.3). Furthermore, the author gives a necessary and sufficient condition for this equality to hold for unramified classes (Theorem 0.5). The proofs rely on a Hodge-theoretic approach to de Jong's period-index theorem on complex surfaces. As an application of the results, the author shows that the \(u\)-invariant of the function field of a real algebraic surface is equal to \(4\), answering questions of \textit{S. Lang} [Ann. Math. (2) 57, 378--391 (1953; Zbl 0052.03301)] and \textit{A. Pfister} [Contemp. Math. (8), 249--264 (1982; Zbl 0486.10017)]. The \(u\)-invariant of a real field \(K\), is the maximal rank of an anistropic quadratic form over \(K\) whose signature with respect to any ordering of \(K\) is trivial. In Section 1, the author describes the strategy of the proof by implementing it in the simpler setting of unramified Brauer classes on complex surfaces. In Section 2, generalities concerning the cohomology of real algebraic varieties are reviewed. Sections 3 through 7 are devoted to proving the main theorems. Finally, Section 8 contains multiple examples highlighting the results.