Denominators of Eisenstein cohomology classes for GL_2 over imaginary quadratic fields

We study the arithmetic of Eisenstein cohomology classes (in the sense of G. Harder) for symmetric spaces associated to GL_2 over imaginary quadratic fields. We prove in many cases a lower bound on their denominator in terms of a special L-value of a Hecke character providing evidence for a conjecture of Harder that the denominator is given by this L-value. We also prove under some additional assumptions that the restriction of the classes to the boundary of the Borel-Serre compactification of the spaces is integral. Such classes are interesting for their use in congruences with cuspidal classes to prove connections between the special L-value and the size of the Selmer group of the Hecke character.Comment: 37 pages; strengthened integrality result (Proposition 16), corrected statement of Theorem 3, and revised introductio

L-functions with large analytic rank and abelian varieties with large algebraic rank over function fields

The goal of this paper is to explain how a simple but apparently new fact of linear algebra together with the cohomological interpretation of L-functions allows one to produce many examples of L-functions over function fields vanishing to high order at the center point of their functional equation. The main application is that for every prime p and every integer g>0 there are absolutely simple abelian varieties of dimension g over Fp(t) for which the BSD conjecture holds and which have arbitrarily large rank.Comment: To appear in Inventiones Mathematica

Comments on Condensates in Non-Supersymmetric Orbifold Field Theories

Non-supersymmetric orbifolds of N=1 super Yang-Mills theories are conjectured to inherit properties from their supersymmetric parent. We examine this conjecture by compactifying the Z_2 orbifold theories on a spatial circle of radius R. We point out that when the orbifold theory lies in the weakly coupled vacuum of its parent, fractional instantons do give rise to the conjectured condensate of bi-fundamental fermions. Unfortunately, we show that quantum effects render this vacuum unstable through the generation of twisted operators. In the true vacuum state, no fermion condensate forms. Thus, in contrast to super Yang-Mills, the compactified orbifold theory undergoes a chiral phase transition as R is varied.Comment: 10 Pages. Added clarifying comments, computational steps and a nice pretty pictur

On higher congruences between cusp forms and Eisenstein series

In this paper we present several finite families of congruences between cusp forms and Eisenstein series of higher weights at powers of prime ideals. We formulate a conjecture which describes properties of the prime ideals and their relation to the weights. We check the validity of the conjecture on several numerical examples.Comment: 20 page

Introduction to Arithmetic Mirror Symmetry

We describe how to find period integrals and Picard-Fuchs differential equations for certain one-parameter families of Calabi-Yau manifolds. These families can be seen as varieties over a finite field, in which case we show in an explicit example that the number of points of a generic element can be given in terms of p-adic period integrals. We also discuss several approaches to finding zeta functions of mirror manifolds and their factorizations. These notes are based on lectures given at the Fields Institute during the thematic program on Calabi-Yau Varieties: Arithmetic, Geometry, and Physics

On some congruence properties of elliptic curves

In this paper, as a result of a theorem of Serre on congruence properties, a complete solution is given for an open question (see the text) presented recently by Kim, Koo and Park. Some further questions and results on similar types of congruence properties of elliptic curves are also presented and discussed.Comment: 11 pages, The title is changed. Thanks to a result of J.-P. Serre from his letter on June 15, 2009 to the author, a complete solution for an open question of Kim, Koo and Park is obtained in this fifth revised version. Some related questions and results are also presented and discusse

The Tate conjecture for K3 surfaces over finite fields

Artin's conjecture states that supersingular K3 surfaces over finite fields have Picard number 22. In this paper, we prove Artin's conjecture over fields of characteristic p>3. This implies Tate's conjecture for K3 surfaces over finite fields of characteristic p>3. Our results also yield the Tate conjecture for divisors on certain holomorphic symplectic varieties over finite fields, with some restrictions on the characteristic. As a consequence, we prove the Tate conjecture for cycles of codimension 2 on cubic fourfolds over finite fields of characteristic p>3.Comment: 20 pages, minor changes. Theorem 4 is stated in greater generality, but proofs don't change. Comments still welcom

Middle Convolution and Harnad Duality

We interpret the additive middle convolution operation in terms of the Harnad duality, and as an application, generalize the operation to have a multi-parameter and act on irregular singular systems.Comment: 50 pages; v2: Submitted version once revised according to referees' comment

Sur la p-dimension des corps

Let A be an excellent integral henselian local noetherian ring, k its residue field of characteristic p>0 and K its fraction field. Using an algebraization technique introduced by the first named author, and the one-dimension case already proved by Kazuya KATO, we prove the following formula: cd_p(K) = dim(A) + p-rank(k), if k is separably closed and K of characteristic zero. A similar statement is valid without those assumptions on k and K

A Note on Domain Walls and the Parameter Space of N=1 Gauge Theories

We study the spectrum of BPS domain walls within the parameter space of N=1 U(N) gauge theories with adjoint matter and a cubic superpotential. Using a low energy description obtained by compactifying the theory on R^3 x S^1, we examine the wall spectrum by combining direct calculations at special points in the parameter space with insight drawn from the leading order potential between minimal walls, i.e those interpolating between adjacent vacua. We show that the multiplicity of composite BPS walls -- as characterised by the CFIV index -- exhibits discontinuities on marginal stability curves within the parameter space of the maximally confining branch. The structure of these marginal stability curves for large N appears tied to certain singularities within the matrix model description of the confining vacua.Comment: 33 pages, LaTeX, 6 eps figures; v2: references adde