Polynomial point counts and odd cohomology vanishing on moduli spaces of stable curves (Q7019341)

The authors compute the number of points in the moduli space \(\overline{\mathcal M}_{4,n}\) of stable genus 4 curves with \(n\) marked points, with \(n\leq3\), over \(\mathbb F_q.\)\N\NThe authors use a sieve based on Hasse-Weil zeta functions and show that the number of \(\mathbb F_q\)-points on \(\overline{\mathcal M}_{4,n}\) is a polynomial in \(q.\)\N\NAs an application, the authors also prove that the rational singular cohomology groups \(H^k(\overline{\mathcal M}_{g,n})\) vanish for all odd \(k\leq 9\). This extends Arbarello and Cornalba's previous result on the vanishing of odd cohomology in degree less or equal than 5, [\textit{E. Arbarello} and \textit{M. Cornalba}, Publ. Math., Inst. Hautes Étud. Sci. 88, 97--127 (1998; Zbl 0991.14012)].\N\NBoth point count and vanishing for odd cohomology are results which confirm predictions of the Langlands program.