The fundamental lemma for unitary groups (Q2389120)

This article gives a proof of the fundamental lemma for unitary groups of rank \(n\) over a local field of equal characteristics \(>n\). The study is based on the geometric interpretation of elliptic endoscopy given by Ngô, which uses the Hitchin fibration. In the article the Hitchin fibration is described explicitly for \(G=\text{U}(n)\), as well as its relation with the Hitchin fibration for an endoscopic group \(H=\text{U}(n_1)\times \text{U}(n_2)\) for \(G\), where \(n=n_1+n_2\). (For general reductive groups see \textit{B. C. Ngô} [Invent. Math. 164, No.~2, 399--453 (2006; Zbl 1098.14023)].) From a result on the perverse cohomology of the Hitchin fibration a numerical identity is deduced, using a fixed-point theorem. Explicit computation of the factors in this global identity gives the fundamental lemma.