Bounds on the levels of composition algebras (Q2837101)

Let \(F\) be a field of characteristic not two. The level \(s(C)\) of a composition algebra is defined to be the least positive integer \(n\) such that \(-1\) is a sum of \(n\) squares in \(C\). If there is no such \(n\), \(s(C)=\infty\). The sublevel \(\underline{s}(C)\) of a composition algebra is defined to be the least positive integer \(n\) such that \(0\) is a sum of \(n+1\) squares in \(C\). If there is no such \(n\), \(\underline{s}(C)=\infty\). Obviously, thus \(\underline{s}\leq s(C)\).NEWLINENEWLINEUsing quaternion and octonion algebras defined over suitable function fields of quadrics, a canonical construction is given for quaternion and octonion algebras over \(F\) which possess level and sublevel \(n\), for any given \(n=2^k\) and any \(n=2^k+1\). Moreover, new examples of composition algebra are constructed, whose levels are not a power of 2 or of the kind \(2^k+1\), for instance octonion algebras of level 6 and 7. The methodology is similar to the one employed by \textit{D. W. Hoffmann} [Arch. Math. 90, No. 5, 401--411 (2008; Zbl 1195.11047)].