The residual spectrum of 𝑈(2,2) (Q4382965)

The author carries out a detailed decomposition of the residual spectrum of \(L^2 (G_k\setminus G_{\mathbb{A}})\), where \(G= U(2,2)\), the quasi-split unitary group in four variables, associated to a quadratic extension of number fields \(k'/k\). The author describes explicitly the contribution of each of the standard (proper) parabolic subgroups of \(G\) to the residual spectrum. The minimal parabolic subgroup contributes (1) characters of \(G_{\mathbb{A}}\); (2) theta lifts from the trivial character of the various \(U_1(\mathbb{A})-s\), defined by Hermitians in one variable for \(k'/k\). (These theta lifts are taken with respect to splittings which depend on characters \(\chi\) of \({k'}^*\setminus \mathbb{A}_{k'}^*\), such that \(\chi|_{\mathbb{A}^*}= \eta_{k'/k}\) -- the quadratic character associated to \(k'/k)\); (3) theta lifts from nontrivial characters of \(U_{1,1} (\mathbb{A})\). The Siegel parabolic subgroup contributes the global Langlands quotients induced from distinguished cuspidal representations \(\pi\) of \(\text{GL}_2 (\mathbb{A}_{k'})\). The remaining parabolic subgroup contributes (1) the global Langlands quotients induced from \(\chi\cdot \|_{\mathbb{A}_{k'}} \otimes \tau\) on \([\text{Res}_{k'/k} \text{GL}_1 \times U_{1,1}]_{\mathbb{A}}\) where \(\chi|_{\mathbb{A}^*}= \eta_{k'/k}\) and \(\tau\) is the theta lift from \(U_1\) and its central character (splitting taken with respect to \(\chi^{-1}\)); (2) the global Langlands quotients induced from \(\chi\cdot \|_{\mathbb{A}_{k'}}^{1/2} \otimes \tau\), where \(\chi|_{\mathbb{A}^*}= 1\) and \(L(\tau\times \chi, \frac{1}{2})\neq 0\). Finally, the residual spectrum of \(U(2,2)\) is multiplicity free. The author starts with the inner product formula for two pseudo-Eisenstein series (wave packets) belonging to two cuspidal data. The framework, language and notation is all taken from the book of \textit{C. Moeglin} and \textit{J.-L. Waldspurger} [Spectral decomposition and Eisenstein series, Cambridge (1995; Zbl 0846.11032), French original, Basel (1994; Zbl 0794.11022)]. The main task, as ususal, is to move the line of integration in the inner product formula to the imaginary axis, and compute the resulting residues collected on the way. Since \(U(2,2)\) is still of low rank, the corresponding intertwining operators and \(L\)-functions can be well-handled. One encounters \(L\)-functions of characters, Asai \(L\)-functions for \(\text{Res}_{k'/k} \text{GL}(2)\) and \(L\)-functions for \(U(1,1) \times \text{Res}_{k'/k} \text{GL}(1)\). This enables the author to compute successfully the residues. He also identifies them as automorphic representations using works of Kudla, Rallis, Soudry, Sweet, S. T. Lee and C. Zhu. The work is complemented by two detailed appendices on Asai \(L\)-functions for \(\text{Res}_{k'/k} \text{GL}(2)\) and \(L\)-functions for \(U(1,1) \times \text{Res}_{k'/k} \text{GL}(1)\). This is a very nice and impressive piece of work, which will surely serve as a very useful source of examples and information.