Siegel's mass formula and averages of Dirichlet \(L\)-functions over function fields (Q436519)

Let \(\mathbb F_q\) be the finite field with \(q\) elements, where \(q\) is odd. Let \(K=\mathbb F_q(t)\) be the field of rational functions over \(\mathbb F_q,\) and \( A= \mathbb F_q[t]\) the polynomial ring. Let \(K_{\infty}\) be the completion of \(K\) at infinity i.e. the field of Laurent series in \(t^{-1}\) over \(\mathbb F_q\). Let \(D\in A\) be a square-free polynomial and \((V,Q)\) a ternary definite quadratic space over \(K\) that contains integral lattices of determinant \(D\). Let \(\mathfrak{G}\) denote the genus of such lattices. In this paper, self contained and relatively elementary proofs for the Siegel-Minkowski formulas for the weighted sum of primitive representation numbers over the classes in \(\mathfrak{G}\) and formula for the mass of \(\mathfrak{G}\) have been given. Both formulas are obtained directly in a completely explicit form that does not involve Euler products of local densities. The proof of the mass formula shows an interesting and seemingly new relation with certain averages of Dirichlet \(L\)-functions. The approach in this paper uses a correspondence between lattices and quaternion orders that goes back to work of \textit{H. Brandt} [Jahresber. Dtsch. Math.-Ver. 53, 23--57 (1943; Zbl 0028.10802)] and \textit{C. G. Latimer} [Duke Math. J. 3, 237--247 (1937; Zbl 0017.15002, JFM 63.0093.04)] (see the thorough exposition by \textit{P. Llorente} on this topic [Rev. R. Acad. Cienc. Exactas Fís. Nat. (Esp.) 94, No. 3, 397--416 (2000; Zbl 0991.11013)]). An exact formula for the class number when \(D\) is irreducible has also been obtained.