Optimal levels for modular mod 2 representations over totally real fields (Q2369735)

In this paper the author proves an interesting result which reduces level lowering in characteristic \(\ell=2\) for totally real fields to a multiplicity one hypothesis. Let \(F\) be a totally real number field and let \(\overline\rho\) be a continuous irreducible mod 2 representation of the absolute Galois group of \(F\), which is not induced from a character of \(\text{Gal}(\overline F/F(i))\). Under a multiplicity one hypothesis, the author proves that if \(\overline\rho\) arises from a Hilbert cuspidal eigenform of arithmetic weight \(k\) and level \(\mathfrak n\) where \((\mathfrak n,2)=1\), then \(\overline\rho\) arises from a Hilbert cuspidal eigenform of weight \(k\) and level equal to the Artin conductor \(\mathfrak n(\overline\rho)\) of \(\overline\rho\). The method of proof is based on a generalisation of a result of Livné and a generalisation of Carayol's lemma proven in the author's paper [Math. Ann. 313, No. 1, 141--160 (1999; Zbl 0978.11020)]. Moreover, as a corollary of a previous unpublished result of Fujiwara and a result of \textit{A. Rajaei} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 537, 33--65 (2001; Zbl 0982.11023)] the author proves that if \(\ell\) is odd, the same result holds for characteristic \(\ell\) representations without the multiplicity one hypothesis.