Localization of character sheaves. (Q984878)

Let \(\mathbf G\) be a connected reductive algebraic group defined over a finite field \(\mathbf F_q\) with Frobenius endomorphism \(F\) and finite group of fixed points \(G=\mathbf G^F\). Let \(A\) be an \(F\)-stable character sheaf on \(\mathbf G\). Its `characteristic function' is a class function on \(G\). Under suitable hypotheses the authors obtain a formula for the value of the characteristic function at arbitrary \(g\in G\) in terms of the representation theory of certain finite groups related to the Weyl group. This formula, a generalization of previous results due to Mœglin and Waldspurger, depends on knowledge of all Levi subgroups that admit cuspidal character sheaves. For quasi-simple groups, the formula is made truly explicit by classifying and tabulating all such subgroups up to conjugation, following a recipe given by Lusztig. (There remains a difficulty in characteristic 2 for types \(F_4\) and \(E_8\).)