Equivariant epsilon constant conjectures for weakly ramified extensions (Q303822)

In this paper the authors prove a special case of the local epsilon constant conjecture as formulated by \textit{M. Breuning} [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 70, No. 2, 289--306 (2004; Zbl 1068.11075)]. This has also consequences to the global epsilon constant conjecture of \textit{W. Bley} and \textit{D. Burns} [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., III. Ser. 87, No. 3, 545--590 (2003; Zbl 1056.11071)] and therefore to the `\(\Omega(2)\)-conjecture' of \textit{T. Chinburg} [Ann. Math. (2) 121, 351--376 (1985; Zbl 0567.12010)]. This fits into the general framework of the equivariant Tamagawa number conjecture (ETNC) of \textit{D. Burns} and \textit{M. Flach} [Doc. Math., J. DMV 6, 501--570 (2001; Zbl 1052.11077)]. Namely, the epsilon constant conjectures are a consequence of the expected compatibility of the ETNC with the functional equation of Artin \(L\)-functions. The local epsilon constant conjecture is formulated for any finite Galois extension of \(p\)-adic local fields \(N/K\) and asserts that a certain canonical element \(R_{N/K}\) in the relative algebraic \(K\)-group \(K_0(\mathbb Z_p[G], \mathbb Q_p)\) vanishes, where \(G := \mathrm{Gal}(N/K)\). The element \(R_{N/K}\) incorporates local epsilon constants (Galois Gauss sums) and arithmetic invariants (using the fundamental class of local class field theory). It is known that \(R_{N/K}\) belongs to the torsion subgroup of \(K_0(\mathbb Z_p[G], \mathbb Q_p)\) and vanishes if \(N/K\) is at most tamely ramified. Here, the conjecture is verified in the following setting. Let \(p\) be an odd prime and let \(K/\mathbb Q_p\) be unramified of degree \(m\). Let \(N/K\) be a weakly and wildly ramified finite abelian extension with cyclic ramification group, and suppose that the inertia degree of \(N/K\) and \(m\) are relatively prime. Then \(R_{N/K}\) vanishes. Recall that \(N/K\) is said to be weakly ramified if the second ramification group (in lower numbering) vanishes. The main new ingredient of the proof (compared to the tamely ramified case) is the relation of Galois Gauss sums to norm-resolvents established by \textit{E.J. Pickett} and \textit{S. Vinatier} [Compos. Math. 149, No. 7, 1175--1202 (2013; Zbl 1292.11128)] in this case. Note that the authors meanwhile have generalized their approach to the local epsilon constant conjecture for unramified twists of \(\mathbb Z_p(1)\) in [Acta Arith. 178, No. 4, 313--383 (2017; Zbl 1391.11149)].