Solutions of polynomial Pell's equation (Q983299)

The author considers the polynomial Pell equation \(X^2-DY^2=1\) over \(\mathbb Z[X]\), where \(D\) is monic and of the special form \(D=F^2+2G\) with \(\deg G<\deg F\). It is known that in this case the Pell equation has a non-trivial solution if and only if the period of \(\sqrt{D}\) is of length \(2,4,6,8,10,14,18,22\) [\textit{V. A. Malyshev}, St. Petersbg. Math. J. 15, No. 4, 587--602 (2004); translation from Algebra Anal. 15, No. 4, 177--203 (2003; Zbl 1100.14025)]. The paper under review is devoted to the situation where the period length of \(\sqrt{D}\) is \(4\). In particular, the author shows that for any monic, quartic polynomials \(D\) the Pell equation \(X^2-DY^2=1\) has only trivial solutions, provided \(\sqrt{D}\) has continued fraction expansion with minimal period of length \(4\).