Generalized Pell's equations and Weber's class number problem (Q6072953)

For \(n \ge 0\) let \(\mathbb B_n = \mathbb Q (X_n)\) with \(X_n = 2\cos (\pi/2^{n+1})\) denote the maximal real subfield of the cyclotomic field of \(2^{n+2}\)-nd roots of unity. The author considers continued fraction expansions of \(X_n\) over \(\mathbb Z[X_{n-1}]\) to obtain solutions of the generalized Pell equation \[ x^2 - (2+X_{n-1}) y^2 = 1 \] in this latter ring; note that \(2+X_{n-1}=X_n^2\). Furthermore, he shows that his method yields all solutions of the above equation if and only if Weber's conjecture that all fields \(\mathbb B_n\) have class number equal to \(1\) holds. Finally, the minimal solution of the above equation is studied to obtain results on the class numbers in the cyclotomic \(\mathbb Z_2\)-extension of \(\mathbb Q\).