Semi-simple algebraic groups in cohomological dimension \(\leq 2\). With a comprehensive introduction in English (Q2415124)

Let \(k\) be a field, and let \(\mathrm{cd}(k)\) denote its cohomological dimension. Denote its separable cohomological dimension by \(\mathrm{scd}(k)\); of course, \(\mathrm{scd}(k)=\mathrm{cd}(k)\) if \(k\) is perfect. The book being reviewed is a study of semisimple algebraic \(k\)-groups in the case where \(\mathrm{scd}(k)\le 2\) with a particular focus on a famous conjecture of Jean-Pierre Serre, known simply as ``Conjecture II''. Conjecture II is not proven here, however the approach given by the author provides strong support for its validity. We briefly describe Conjecture II. In [``Cohomologie galoisienne des groupes algébriques linéaires'', in: Colloq. théorie des groupes algébriques. Louvain: Librairie Universitaire. 53--68 (1962; Zbl 0145.17501)], \textit{J.-P. Serre} conjectures that \(H^1(k,G)=0\) for \(G\) a semisimple simply connected algebraic group \(G\) over a perfect field \(k\) with \(\mathrm{cd}(k)\le 2\); this conjecture was extended to imperfect fields with \(\mathrm{scd}(k)\le 2\) in 1994. It has been shown to hold for classical groups, groups of type \(G_2\) and groups of type \(F_4\), but remains open for groups of type \(E_6,E_7,E_8\), as well as for the trialitarian groups of type \(D_4\). The book begins with an overview of the materials needed to investigate Conjecture II. The first chapter has the basic background. The second investigates reductive groups, particularly the Borel-Tits theory of such groups. Chapter \(3\) considers the embeddings of \(\mu_n\), the group of \(n^{\text{th}}\) roots of unity, into a semisimple algebraic group, whereas Chapter 4 focuses on separable cohomological dimension for \(i=1,2\). It is at this point that Conjecture II is investigated. In Chapter 5, the author uses cohomology classes which arise from finite diagonalizable subgroups to prove an important result. Namely, given a (not necessarily central) morphism \(\mu_n\to G\) of \(k\)-groups, \(\mathrm{scd}(k)\le 2\), it is shown that the induced map on cohomology \(H^1(k,\mu_n)\to H^1(k,G)\) is trivial. As a consequence, if \(G\) is an almost simple algebraic group, then \(H^1(L/k,G)\) is trivial for \(L/k\) quadratic. In Chapter 6, Conjecture II is established for semisimple simply connected quasi-split groups which do not admit a factor of type \(E_8\). Chapter 7 establishes Conjecture II in the case \(G\) is a classical group. While these results were previously known, this new proof arises from the approach given in this book. Chapter 8 addresses the exceptional groups, where Conjecture II is shown to hold under certain circumstances (the extra conditions needed vary by type of exceptional group). Chapter 9 describes some applications of the previous results, including a classification of semisimple groups \(G\) with \(\mathrm{scd}_l(G)\le 2\) for all \(l\).