Topics in computational algebraic number theory (Q558179)

The author gives a survey on the presently best known methods for computations in algebraic number fields. The emphasis is on arithmetic with algebraic integers and ideals with a view towards the calculation of ray class fields. Following the introduction the author discusses basic arithmetic. He compares integer and floating point representations with respect to reduction methods. He then develops special two element representations for prime ideals which are more appropriate for ray class group calculations. He concludes with discrete logarithms for such groups and ray class field computations. Analyzing known methods he is frequently capable to modify algorithms for a speed-up. The improved algorithms were implemented in the PARI/GP system.