The decomposition of primes in torsion point fields (Q5932857)

Let \(k\) be an algebraic number field and let \(E\) be an elliptic curve defined over \(k\). For any natural number \(n\) the field \(k(E_n)\) is obtained from \(k\) by adjoining the coordinates of the \(n\)-torsion points of \(E\) to \(k\). \(k(E_n)/k\) is called the \(n\)-th torsion point extension. The paper under review investigates the decomposition law of prime ideals in subextensions of torsion point extensions. It starts with the presentation of known basic material on the decomposition of primes in finite extensions of algebraic number fields in general, followed by considerations of Abelian field extensions and Kummer extensions. Chapter 3 includes the basic geometric facts on elliptic curves which are necessary to introduce torsion points. Furthermore, \(l\)-adic representations and \(L\)-series of elliptic curves are introduced. The next chapter elucitates the basic facts which lead to the Eichler-Shimura formula and explains the arithmetical importance. The main investigation of torsion point fields are contained in the last two chapters. After studying certain subgroups of \({\text{GL}}(2,n)\) the author starts to define polynomials of subfields of \(k(E_n)\). In case of a general algebraic subextension \(K/k\) of \(k(E_n)/k\) he defines the minimal polynomial of a primitive element of the given extension. If \(K/k\) is a Galois extension he determines a polynomial whose splitting field is \(K\). Usually such a polynomial is of lower degree. He gives the decomposition law of certain subextensions of \(2,3\) and \(4\)-torsion fields in terms of the discriminant of \(E\) and the \(n\)-th power residue symbol. Section 5.6 contains the case \(k(E_{p^m})/k\). The appendix contains several numerical data such as coefficients of \(L\)-series and tables of fully decomposed prime numbers.