Hasse principle for \(G\)-quadratic forms (Q373995)

Let \(k\) be a field and \(G\) a finite group. A \(G\)-quadratic form over \(k\) is a quadratic form \((V,\,q)\) over \(k\) that carries a \(k[G]\)-module structure such that the bilinear form \(q: V\times V\to k\) is \(G\)-invariant. In contrast to the classical Hasse principle for quadratic forms, \textit{J. F. Morales} [J. Algebra 98, 470--484 (1986; Zbl 0581.10009)] has shown that two \(G\)-quadratic forms over a number field can be everywhere locally isomorphic without being globally isomorphic. The paper under review studies the Hasse principle for \(G\)-quadratic forms over a global field \(k\) of odd characteristic. It is proved that the Hasse principle holds for two \(G\)-quadratic forms \(q,\,q'\) over a \(k[G]\)-module \(V\) if all the orthogonal components of the endomorphism ring of \(V\) are split. This implies that the Hasse principle is valid for \(G\)-quadratic forms over projective \(k[G]\)-modules, contrarily to the the case where \(k\) is a number field. The main step in the proof is to prove a Hasse principle for hermitian elements. Indeed, \(G\)-quadratic forms over \(k\) can be viewed as hermitian forms over \(k[G]\) and thus be classified using hermitian elements. The authors also give counterexamples to the Hasse principle that are of a different nature than those for number fields. In a joint work with Serre of two of the authors [\textit{E. Bayer-Fluckiger} et al., Izv. Math. 77, No. 3, 437--460 (2013); translation from Izv. Ross. Akad. Nauk, Ser. Mat. 77, No. 3, 5--28 (2013; Zbl 1368.11030)], it is proved that \(G\)-trace forms satisfy the Hasse principle.