Seminars & Colloquia Calendar

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Colloquia

Stark's Conjectures and Hilbert's 12th Problem

Samit Dasgupta (Duke U)

Location:  Hill 705
Date & time: Wednesday, 30 October 2019 at 4:00PM - 5:00PM

Abstract:  In this talk we will discuss two central problems in algebraic number theory and their interconnections: explicit class field theory (also known as Hilbert's 12th Problem), and the special values of L-functions. The goal of explicit class field theory is to describe the abelian extensions of a ground number field via analytic means intrinsic to the ground field. Meanwhile, there is an abundance of conjectures on the special values of L-functions at certain integer points. Of these, Stark's Conjecture has special relevance toward explicit class field theory. I will describe my recent proof, joint with Mahesh Kakde, of the Brumer-Stark conjecture away from p=2. This conjecture states the existence of certain canonical elements in CM abelian extensions of totally real fields. Next I will state a conjectural exact formula for these Brumer-Stark units that has been developed over the last 15 years.

I will conclude with a description of work in progress that aims to prove this conjecture and thereby give a solution to Hilbert's 12th problem. 

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