The Rost invariant has trivial kernel for quasi-split groups of low rank (Q5956907)

Let \(G\) be a simple simply connected algebraic group over a field \(F\). The Rost invariant \(R_G\) of \(G\) is a map \(R_G\colon H^1(F,G)\to H^3(F,\mathbb{Q}/\mathbb{Z}(2))\) in Galois cohomology. Of interest here is the kernel of this map. While difficult to describe in general, the kernel is expected to be trivial for quasi-split groups of ``small'' rank. The author verifies this for quasi-split groups of rank less than or equal to 5 as well as for groups of type \(B_6\), \(D_6\), and \(D_7\). The main result, whose proof consumes most of the paper, is that the Rost invariant is trivial for quasi-split groups of type \(E_6\) and \(E_7\). The general approach is to reduce the question for a larger group to that for a subgroup. Some (known) results in Galois cohomology (such as Serre's conjecture II) follow immediately from this. An application is also given to finite-dimensional algebras. The question of how large the rank can be to insure vanishing is partially answered as the author gives examples of larger rank groups (type \(^2A_6\), \(B_7\), and \(D_8\)) where the kernel is in fact non-trivial. The main results on quasi-split groups of type \(E_6\) and \(E_7\) have been proven independently with different techniques by \textit{V. Chernousov} [The kernel of the Rost invariant, Serre's conjecture II and the Hasse principle for quasi-split groups \(^{3,6}D_4\), \(E_6\), \(E_7\), preprint (2002) available at \texttt{http://www.mathematik.uni-bielefeld.de/lag/} (preprint \#74)].