Reciprocity laws and \(K\)-theory (Q344504)

Let \(X\) be an \(n\)-dimensional variety over a field \(k\), \(F_X\) the field of rational functions on \(X\), and \(K(.)\) the \(K\)-theory spectrum. The authors associate to a full flag in \(X\) a ``symbol map'' \(\mu_{\mathcal F}\): \(K(F_X)\to\Sigma^nK(k)\), where \(\Sigma^n\) denotes the \(n\)-fold suspension, and they prove a ``reciprocity law'' for these symbols: given a partial flag, the sum of all symbols of full flags refining it equals 0. This follows the pattern common to several statements of reciprocity laws in number theory and algebraic geometry, such as the Weil reciprocity law, the residue theorem, the Contou-Carrère reciprocity law (when \(X\) is a complete smooth curve): there is a global object, exhausted by local pieces; one associates an invariant to each local piece, as well as to the global object; then the product of the local invariants should equal the global invariant, which itself should be trivial. Let us define the setup in more detail. A full flag \(\mathcal F\) in \(X\) is a chain of closed irreducible subvarieties \(X=X^0\supset X^1\supset\cdots\supset X^n\) where the codimension of \(X^i\) in \(X\) is \(i\). Given a full flag \(\mathcal F\), define a symbol map, which is a morphism of spectra \(\mu_{\mathcal F}:K(F_X)\to\Sigma^nK(k)\). For a partial flag \(\mathcal G\) in \(X\), i.e. a full flag with an element in some single codimension \(d\) omitted, for \(0<d\leq n\), consider the set \(fl(\mathcal G)\) of full flags which refine it. The main result of the paper states that for any partial flag \(\mathcal G:X^0\supset\cdots\supset X^{d-1}\supset X^{d+1}\supset\cdots\supset X^n\) (in the case \(d=n\), assume moreover that the curve \(X^{n-1}\) is proper over \(k\)), one has \(\sum_{\mathcal F\in fl(\mathcal G)}\mu_{\mathcal F}=0\) (the infinite sum can be given a sense). Actually, the authors define also a symbol \(\mu_{\mathcal G}:K(F_X)\to\Sigma^nK(k)\) for the partial flag \(\mathcal G\), and the theorem means that \(\sum_{\mathcal F\in fl(\mathcal G)}\mu_{\mathcal F}=\mu_{\mathcal G}=0\). By considering the effect of this abstract reciprocity law on various homotopy groups of the involved spectra, many examples of concrete reciprocity laws can be derived, such as: in the case \(\dim(X)=1\), the theorem on the sum of degrees, the Weil reciprocity law, the residue theorem, the Contou-Carrère reciprocity law; in the case \(\dim(X)>1\), Parshin's reciprocity law and higher residue reciprocity law.