Crossed products over rational function fields (Q2365779)

In this important paper, new methods are provided to investigate finite- dimensional division algebras over rational function fields. Central simple algebras over such fields are obtained by crossed product constructions using group actions on lattices, and their index is calculated by applying Moody's induction theorem on the Grothendieck group of twisted group algebras. These results are used to show that for any separable extension of fields \(L_ 0/K_ 0\) there exists a rational function field \(K\) over \(K_ 0\) and a finite-dimensional central division algebra \(D\) over \(K\) which contains \(L_ 0 K\). Moreover, if \(L_ 0/K_ 0\) is Galois, \(D\) can be chosen so that \(L_ 0 K\) is a maximal subfield in \(D\). Examples are given to show that the hypothesis \(L_ 0/K_ 0\) Galois cannot be omitted. If \(K_ 0\) is a global field, necessary and sufficient conditions are given on the extension \(L_ 0/K_ 0\) for the existence of a field \(K\) and a division algebra \(D\) as above. The authors' techniques are also used to prove the admissibility of various finite groups, including the symmetric groups \(S_ 6\) and \(S_ 7\), as Galois groups of a maximal subfield in some finite-dimensional division algebra over \(\mathbb{Q}(t)\). They also provide some insight into the non-triviality of relative Brauer groups: the authors show that for any proper finite separable field extension \(L_ 0/K_ 0\), the subgroup of elements in the Brauer group of \(K_ 0(t)\) which split over \(L_ 0(t)\) is infinite.