Linear connections between roots of unity in nonzero characteristic (Q2368731)

Consider an algebraically closed field \(K\) and denote by \(k\) the prime subfield and \(U\) a divisible subgroup of the multiplicative group of roots of unity of \(K\). Then the group \(U\) has Mann's property if, for any integer \(n\geq 2\), there exists an integer \(N\) such that, if \(a_1x_1+\cdots+a_nx_n=0\), where the \(a_i\) are nonzero elements of \(k\) and the \(x_i\) belong to \(U\), then there exist two indices \(i\neq j\) with \(x_i/x_j\) an \(N\)-th root of unity. For \(K\) of characteristic zero, this was proved by \textit{H. B. Mann} [Mathematika 12, 107--117 (1965; Zbl 0138.03102)]. If \(K\) is of characteristic \(p\neq 0\), the example of the equation \(x+y+z=0\) shows that Mann's property may fail to be true if the group \(U\) contains the nonzero elements of an infinite subfield of \(K\). Here the authors give an algebraic geometrical necessary and sufficient condition for \(U\) to satisfy Mann's property. This is done in the case of finite sets of prime numbers, singletons, and infinite sets of prime numbers. Finally, some questions concerning the behaviour of the sets of prime numbers such that their associated group \(U\) satisfies Mann's property.