The \(L\)-functions of twisted Witt extensions (Q996195)

Let \({\mathbb F}_q\) be the finite field of characteristic \(p\) with \(q\) elements, and \(W_m\) the ring scheme of Witt vectors of length \(m\) over \({\mathbb F}_q\). Let \(f\in W_m({\mathbb F}_q[x_1^{\pm1},\ldots,x_n^{\pm1}] )\) be a Witt vector with the first coordinate non-zero. Consider the extension \[ {\mathbb F}_q(x_1,\ldots,x_n)\subset {\mathbb F}_q(x_1^{\frac{1}{q-1}},\ldots,x_n^{\frac{1}{q-1}})(y_0,\ldots,y_{m-1}), \] where \((y_0,\ldots,y_{m-1})\) satisfies the equation of Witt vectors \[ (y_0^p,\ldots,y_{m-1}^p)-(y_0,\ldots,y_{m-1})=f(x). \] It is called the twisted Witt extension associated to \(f\). Its Galois group is isomorphic to \(W_m({\mathbb F}_p)\times({\mathbb F}_q^\times)^n.\) Let \(\chi\) be a character of \(({\mathbb F}_q^\times)^n\). The author associates an Artin \(L\)-function to \(\chi\) which has the expression \[ L_{f,\chi}(t)=\exp\left(\sum_{k=1}^\infty S_k\frac{t^k}{k}\right) \] where \(S_k\) are exponential sums. He proves that for a non-degenerate Witt extension \(L_{f,\chi}(t)\) is a polynomial. Its Newton polygon lies above the Hodge polygon of that extension. The Newton polygons of the Gauss-Heilbronn sums are explicitly determined, generalizing the Stickelberger theorem.