A note on class numbers (Q919408)

Let \(F\) be an algebraic number field with class number, \(h(F)=1\) and \(K\) be a finite Galois extension of \(F\) of \(q\)-power degree for some prime \(q\geq 5\). Using a result of \textit{K. Iwasawa} [Abh. Math. Semin. Univ. Hamb. 20, 257--258 (1956; Zbl 0074.03002)], the author gives several different sufficient conditions to guarantee that \(h(K)=1\). These conditions include: (i) \(h(K)<q\). (ii) \(2q+1\) is prime, \(q\nmid h(K)\) and \(h(K)<2q+1\). (iii) \((h(K),2q)=1\) and \(h(K)<2q+1\). (iv) \(K/F\) is ramified for at most one prime and \(2q+1\) is prime. Applications are given to the maximal real subfield of the \(p^n\)-th cyclotomic fields for an odd prime \(p\).