On the class group of $\Bbb Q(\sqrt{-d})$, $d = n^g – 1$

algebraic-number-theoryideal-class-group

Let $g > 1$ and $n \geq 3$ be integers such that $n$ is odd and $d = n^g – 1$ is squarefree. Prove that the class group of $\Bbb Q(\sqrt{-d})$ contains an element of order $g$.

Here is my attempt:
The ring of integers is $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{-d}]$. Consider the ideals $\langle 1 \pm \sqrt{-d} \rangle$, whose product is $\langle n \rangle^g$. They are coprime (as any prime ideal factor has a norm which is either even or has a common prime factor with $d$ — in both cases we get a contradiction) so both must the $g$-th powers of ideals $I$ and $J$, say. We claim that the class $[I]$ of $I$ has order $g$ (not entirely sure this is correct). Now, $I^g$ is principal and if $I^k = \langle a + b\sqrt{-d} \rangle$, $k < g$ is, by $$a^2 + db^2 = \textrm{Norm}(I^k) = n^k < n^g – 1 = d$$ we obtain $b = 0$, i.e. $I^k = \langle a \rangle$ where $a \in \mathbb{Z}$. How to finish?

Best Answer

$I^k$ divides $I^g$, so $(1+\sqrt{-d})=I^g \subset I^k = <a>$. Hence, $a=\pm 1$, which implies that $I^k=\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{-d}]$. Then $I^g=\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{-d}]$ as well. However, $I^k=(1+\sqrt{-d})$ and we get a contradiction as required.

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