Some results on the capitulation problem for quadratic fields (Q2367294)

Let \(K=\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{-m})\) be an imaginary quadratic field for a square free integer \(m\). Put \(A_{t,x}= \{K\): exactly \(t\) finite primes ramify in \(K/\mathbb{Q}\) and \(| D_ K|\leq x\}\) and \(U_{t;x}=\{K\in A_{t;x}\): the 2-class group of \(K\) capitulates in a proper subfield of the genus field of \(K/\mathbb{Q}\}\). In this paper the author studies the proportion \(U_{t;x}/A_{t;x}\) and, in particular, proves that \(\liminf_{x\to\infty} U_{t;x}/A_{t;x}>0\) for \(t\geq 3\). Let \(q_ 1\) and \(q_ 2\) be primes which are congruent to 3 modulo 4. Then every unit of \(\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{q_ 1 q_ 2})\) has norm \(+1\). Starting from this fact and using a property of a fundamental unit of \(\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{q_ 1 q_ 2})\), the author proves that if the 2-class group of \(K\) is an elementary abelian group and at least three primes congruent to 3 modulo 4 divide \(m\), then \(K\in U_{t,x}\) for \(| D_ K|\leq x\). From this result the author deduces the above result using his result in [Invent. Math. 77, 489-515 (1984; Zbl 0533.12004)]. A similar result for real quadratic fields is also obtained. These results can be considered as a generalization of the results of \textit{K. Iwasawa} [Proc. Japan Acad., Ser. A 65, 59-61 (1989; Zbl 0704.11047)] and \textit{J. E. Cremona} and \textit{R. W. K. Odoni} [Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 107, 1-3 (1990; Zbl 0705.11068)].