Semilocal units modulo Gauss sums. (Q817255)

Let \(p\) be an odd prime and let \(k\) be a CM abelian extension of \(\mathbb Q\) containing the \(p\)th roots of unity. Assume that \(k\) is linearly disjoint from the cyclotomic \(\mathbb Z_p\)-extension of \(\mathbb Q\). Let \(k_n\) be the \(n\)th level of the cyclotomic \(\mathbb Z_p\)-extension of \(k\) and let \(X_n\) be the \(p\)-part of the class group of \(k_n\). The module \(X_{\infty}=\lim_{\leftarrow} X_n\) decomposes into eigenspaces for complex conjugation as \(X_{\infty}^+\oplus X_{\infty}^-\). The characteristic polynomial of \(X_{\infty}^-\) has been described in terms of semi-local units modulo cyclotomic units by K. Iwasawa, \textit{R. Gillard} [Ann. Inst. Fourier 29, 1--15 (1979; Zbl 0387.12002)], and \textit{T. Tsuji} [J. Number Theory 78, No.~1, 1--26 (1999; Zbl 0948.11042)]. A well-known conjecture of R. Greenberg predicts that \(X_{\infty}^+\) is finite, hence has characteristic polynomial 1. \textit{H. Ichimura} [J. Number Theory 68, 36--56 (1998; Zbl 0969.11038)] described the characteristic polynomial of \(X_{\infty}^+\) in terms of semi-local units modulo a submodule constructed from Gauss sums in the case where \(p\) does not divide \([k:\mathbb Q]\). The present paper extends this result to the case where \(p\) is allowed to divide \([k:\mathbb Q]\). More precisely, let \({\mathcal U}_n\) be the product of the groups of principal units in the completions of \(k_n\) at the primes above \(p\). Let \({\mathcal U}_{\infty}\) be the inverse limit of the \({\mathcal U}_n\). Write \(G=\text{Gal}(k/\mathbb Q)\) as \(P\times \Delta\), where \(P\) is the \(p\)-part of \(G\). Let \(\psi\) be an odd character of \(G\) and \(\psi^*=\psi^{-1}\omega\), where \(\omega\) is the Teichmüller character. If \(\psi=\omega\) on \(\Delta\) , then assume that \(\psi\) is trivial on \(P\). The main result is that the characteristic polynomial of the \(\psi^*\)-component of \(X_{\infty}\) is a twisted version of the characteristic polynomial of \({\mathcal U}_{\infty}^{\psi}/{\mathcal G}_{\infty}^{\psi}\), where \({\mathcal G}_{\infty}^{\psi}\) is a module constructed via Gauss sums. The author also proves a similar result for finite levels of the \(\mathbb Z_p\)-extension that extends work of \textit{Y. Hachimori} and \textit{H. Ichimura} [Manuscr. Math. 95, 377--394 (1998; Zbl 0902.11044)].