The local root number of elliptic curves with wild ramification (Q697412)

Let \(K\) be a number field of degree \(n\) over \(\mathbb Q\), and \(E\) be an elliptic curve defined over \(K\), with conductor \(N_E\). Let \(L(E,s)\) be its Hasse-Weil \(L\)-function. Conjecturally, \(L(E,s)\) admits an analytic continuation to the entire complex plane and satisfies a certain functional equation. More precisely, the function \[ \Lambda(E,s)=N_E^{s/2} \bigl((2\pi)^{-s} \Gamma(s)\bigr)^n L(E,s). \] satisfies conjecturally the functional equation \[ \Lambda(E,s)=w \;\Lambda(E,2-s) \quad \text{with} \quad w=\pm 1. \] Let us mention that the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture implies that \(w=1\) if and only if the rank of \(E(K)\) is even. This paper is devoted to the computation of the sign \(w\). One can also define \(w\) independently of any conjecture. In fact, Langlands has defined for each place \(v\) of \(K\) a local root number \(w(E,v)\), which is equal to one except for finitely many \(v\). The product of the local root numbers \(w(E,v)\) over all places \(v\) of \(K\) is called the global root number of \(E\) over \(K\), and it is conjecturally equal to \(w\). It is true if \(K=\mathbb Q\) since \(E\) is modular. The author is interested in the determination of the local root numbers \(w(E,v)\) from the coefficients of a Weierstrass equation of \(E\) over \(K\). They are already known in particular cases. For instance, they have been determined if \(K=\mathbb Q\), and Halberstadt has obtained complete tables of the values of \(w(E,2)\) and \(w(E,3)\) in terms of the invariants associated to a minimal model of \(E\) over \(\mathbb Q\). In this paper, the author gives a formula for \(w(E,v)\) in case \(v\) is a place of \(K\) of odd characteristic. He has also obtained the global root numbers of elliptic curves given by an equation of the shape \(y^2=x^3+d\) over an arbitrary number field.