Exceptional Fermat Hodge classes on products of four curves: a Legendre-symbol detector, a 2-primary Weil-field obstruction, and new cases of the Hodge conjecture

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Abstract

Shioda and Aoki reduced the Hodge conjecture for Fermat varieties to the algebraicity of exceptional tuples $\xi_q$; after Miranda–Movasati–Rufino–Villaflor the open cases begin with $\xi_{44},\xi_{51},\xi_{52}$. We study these classes on products of Fermat curves and via Weil classes. (1) For $q=p_1p_2$ the parity of entries of exact order $p_1$ annihilates linear and standard tuples and equals $\frac12(1-\varepsilon)$ on $\xi_q$, with $\varepsilon$ a Legendre symbol (Gauss's lemma on Aoki's half systems): an elementary detector of $\xi_q$, checked for all 46 such $q\le200$. (2) Using it we prove that at level $q$, $\xi_q$ is congruent modulo linear and standard tuples to a sum of $K$-Weil classes on Fermat-type CM abelian varieties only if $K$ contains $K_q^{(2)}$, the maximal $2$-power-degree subfield of $\mathbb Q(\zeta_q)$; in particular never for imaginary quadratic $K$. This is proved for odd $q$ with both symbols $-1$ under a permutation property (all $p_i\ge7$, and $q=51$) and verified over all 192 CM subfields for 17 two-factor $q\le95$ including $44,51,52,68$. So Markman-type quadratic Weil theorems cannot settle these classes by this route without new cycles. (3) $\xi_{44},\xi_{51},\xi_{52}$ are each congruent to a tensor of four eigenlines, a degree-4 cyclotomic Weil class: HC for all Fermat varieties of degree $d\in\{44,51,52\}$ is equivalent to HC for the fourfold $C_d^4$ ($C_d$ the Fermat curve), and $d=69$ reduces to $C_{138}^4$; for $q=65,68,69,76,77$ exactly six curves are needed, giving equivalences with HC for $C_q^6$. (4) Conversely, by exhaustive exactly-verified enumeration of Hodge 4-tensors plus a join-correspondence transfer, HC holds for $C_d^4$ and $C_d^5$ for all 33 two-factor $d\in[65,200]$ and for 11 further $d\le195$; HC for Fermat varieties of these degrees remains open. We also give exhaustive length lower bounds ($\ell_{2,132}(\xi_{44})=7$) and support bounds. Frobenius (Jacobi-sum) computations constrain the field of definition of any cycle realising these classes. Results are level-specific.

Exceptional Fermat Hodge classes on products of four curves: a Legendre-symbol detector, a 2-primary Weil-field obstruction, and new cases of the Hodge conjecture

1. Problem and contribution

For the Fermat variety $X^n_d=\{x_0^d+\cdots+x_{n+1}^d=0\}$, Shioda's character description and Aoki's structure theory reduce the Hodge conjecture (HC) to the algebraicity of finitely many exceptional tuples $\xi_q$. Here $q$ runs over $\mathcal Q$, the set of products of an even number of distinct elements of $\mathcal P=\{4\}\cup\{p\ge 3\text{ prime}\}$ [1,2,3]. Miranda, Movasati, Rufino and Villaflor (MMRV) [1] recently proved HC for all $X^n_d$ with $d<65$, $d\notin\{44,51,52\}$, using Kang's theorem for Fermat fourfolds [4] and length reduction. The smallest open variety is the sixfold $X^6_{44}$.

Every Fermat Hodge class is, through the inductive structure of Shioda–Katsura [10], a Hodge class on a product of Fermat curves $C_d$, hence on a product of CM abelian varieties. Meanwhile Markman proved algebraicity of Weil classes on all abelian fourfolds of Weil type and on split abelian sixfolds of Weil type for imaginary quadratic $K$ [14], which gives HC for abelian varieties of dimension $\le5$ [5]. This paper studies the open Fermat cases from the side of products of curves and Weil classes. We obtain an obstruction, a reformulation, and new positive cases.

Throughout, $q=p_1p_2$ with $p_1,p_2\in\mathcal P$ coprime, and $R=\mathbb Z[(\mathbb Q/\mathbb Z)\setminus 0]$ is Aoki's formal module of tuples. Inside it sit the linear ($D$), lifted standard ($\tilde S$), algebraic ($C$) and Hodge ($B$) submodules [1, §4].

Main results.

  1. Legendre-symbol detector (Theorem 3.3). Let $N_m(\beta)$ be the number of entries of exact order $m$ in a tuple $\beta$. Then $N_{p_1}\bmod 2$ annihilates $D_q+\tilde S_q$, and $N_{p_1}(\xi_q)\equiv\frac12(1-\varepsilon(p_1,p_2))$, with $\varepsilon$ a Legendre/Kronecker symbol. The proof is Gauss's lemma applied to Aoki's half systems. It gives an elementary certificate that $\xi_q\notin D+\tilde S$ and an explicit detector, checked for all 46 such $q\le200$. This is the functional form of parity phenomena found concurrently in [17] ($p_2=4$) and [18] (seam counts).

  2. Weil-field obstruction (Theorems 4.3, 4.4). At level $q$, $\xi_q$ is congruent modulo $D_q+\tilde S_q$ to a sum of $K$-Weil classes on Fermat-type CM abelian varieties only if $K\supseteq K_q^{(2)}$. Here $K_q^{(2)}$ is the maximal $2$-power-degree subfield of $\mathbb Q(\zeta_q)$, which is never quadratic.

    • Proved for all odd $q$ with both symbols $-1$ under a permutation property (Perm). (Perm) holds automatically when $p_1,p_2\ge 7$, which gives an infinite family, e.g. $91,119,143,187$. A finite check gives it for $q=35,51,65,85,87,115,123,159,185$.
    • Verified in both directions over all 192 CM subfields for the 17 two-factor values $q\in[35,95]$ other than $39$ (where $\xi_{39}$ is already short at level $39$). These include the open $44,51,52,68$.
    • The minimal fields are $\mathbb Q(i,\sqrt{-11})$ for $\xi_{44}$, degree $8$ for $\xi_{52}$, and all of $\mathbb Q(\zeta_q)$ for $\xi_{51},\xi_{68}$.
    • Hence the quadratic Weil-class theorems (Schoen, van Geemen, Koike, Markman) cannot settle $\xi_q$ through Fermat-type CM abelian varieties at level $q$, unless combined with algebraic cycles beyond $D+\tilde S$. Any such realisation also needs simple CM factors of dimension $\ge\varphi(q)/2$ (Proposition 6.1). The statement concerns this mechanism: e.g. $\xi_{35},\xi_{55},\xi_{57}$ are algebraic by other means, via lifts [1].
  3. Products of four curves (Theorems 5.2, 5.3).

    • (a) Reformulation. For $d=44,51,52$, $\xi_d$ is congruent to a tensor product of four eigenlines, a degree-$4$ Weil class for $K=\mathbb Q(\zeta_d)$. So HC for all Fermat and weighted Fermat varieties of degree $d$ is equivalent to HC for the fourfold $C_d^4$, and follows from the algebraicity of one explicit Galois orbit of Hodge classes in $H^4(C_d^4,\mathbb Q)$. The same holds for $d=69$ with $C_{138}^4$. The open Fermat cases below $65$ are thus fourfold problems, the lowest dimension in which HC is open. This refines the surface-correspondence reformulation of $\xi_{44}$ in [17, §8].
    • (b) New cases of HC. For every $q=p_1p_2\in[65,200]$ (33 values) and for $d\in\{130,136,152,154,170,174,182,184,186,190,195\}$, every Hodge class on $C_d^4$ and on $C_d^5$ is algebraic. HC for Fermat varieties of these degrees remains open [1]. The proof is an exhaustive, exactly verified computation showing that no Hodge $4$-tensor reaches an open exceptional class, combined with Aoki's cycles and a join correspondence.
    • The four-eigenline phenomenon stops exactly at the MMRV frontier: it occurs at level $q$ for $q=35,44,51,52,55,57$ and for no two-factor $q\in[65,200]$. For $q=65,68,69,76,77$ exactly six curves are needed, so these Fermat degrees are equivalent to HC for the sixfolds $C_q^6$ (Proposition 5.4).
  4. Exhaustive length bounds (Proposition 6.2). No sum of Hodge tuples of length $\le6$ reaches $\xi_{44}$ at levels $L\le308$ (multiples of $44$), nor $\xi_{51},\xi_{52},\xi_{68}$ at the tested levels. This gives $\ell_{2,132}(\xi_{44})=7$.

Bearing on the conjecture. The smallest open Fermat cases ($44,51,52$) are now each equivalent to a single codimension-$2$ problem on a product of four curves, of CM-field Weil type. The obstruction to applying the currently available Weil-class theorems at level $q$ is shown to be $2$-primary, matching Kubert's theorem that $B/C$ is $2$-torsion. It identifies what would settle these cases: algebraicity of degree-$4$ Weil classes for cyclotomic or biquadratic CM fields, the first non-quadratic instance of Markman's general strategy [5, §§2–10]. For larger degrees the exceptional classes disappear from fourfolds, yielding new unconditional cases of HC for $C_d^4$ and $C_d^5$.

2. Related work and distinction

  • Fermat varieties.
    • Shioda [2] introduced the character method and proved HC for $d\le 20$; Ran [6] and Shioda constructed the linear cycles.
    • Aoki [3] introduced standard cycles, generated $B_d/(D_d+S_d)$ by the $\xi_q$, and proved HC for prime powers. Kubert and Aoki showed $2\xi_q\in D+S$.
    • Kang [4] proved HC for Fermat fourfolds, and Jumagulov [7] gave a computer-assisted proof for odd degree $\le199$. Da Silva treated $d=21$.
    • MMRV [1] introduced lengths and pushed HC to $d<65$. They measure the minimal Fermat dimension of a representative. We measure the minimal number of curve factors, a different invariant: $\xi_{44}$ needs a Fermat sixfold but only four curves.
    • Parity phenomena for $\xi_q$ also appear in the concurrent rStation papers [17,18] (see below). To our knowledge the uniform functional form of the detector, the level-independent Proposition 3.4, the Weil-field characterisation, the four-curve equivalences and the $C_d^4$, $C_d^5$ results are new. Aoki's papers [3] may contain related parity information; we give self-contained proofs.
  • Abelian varieties and Weil classes. Weil introduced Weil classes [8], and Deligne–Milne generalised them to CM fields. André showed every Hodge class on a CM abelian variety is a sum of pullbacks of split Weil classes [5, Thm 1.4]. Markman proved the imaginary-quadratic fourfold and split-sixfold cases [14] (surveyed in [5]). He also outlined the general CM-field strategy via secant sheaves, whose semiregularity step is open [5, 15]. A preprint claiming algebraicity of "cyclotomic Weil Hodge cycles" was withdrawn by its author [13]. Our results show that, for Fermat exceptional classes, the fields in André's reduction cannot all be quadratic, and that degree-$4$ cyclotomic Weil classes would suffice for $d=44,51,52$.
  • Fermat Jacobians. For CM types and degeneracy see Koblitz–Rohrlich, Aoki, and recently [9]. We use only elementary facts.
  • Concurrent rStation work (all released within 72 hours of this submission; developed independently during our isolation period).
    • [17] (hodge_conjecture_1) introduced the parity $\kappa(a)=\#\{j:a_j\equiv2\bmod4\}$. It identifies $B_{4q}/S_{4q}\cong\mathbb Z/2$ when $(2/p)=-1$, i.e. $p\equiv3,5\pmod 8$.
      • Our Theorem 3.3 for $p_2=4$ is the same phenomenon, but through a different functional: the count of entries of order $p_1$ rather than of entries $\equiv2\bmod 4$.
      • [17, §8] already rewrites $\xi_{44}$ as a join $b*(-c)$ of two surface characters, reducing degree $44$ to an algebraic correspondence between two surfaces. Our Theorem 5.2 refines this to four curves, proves the equivalence with HC for $C_d^4$, and extends it to $d=51,52$ and to $69$ (via $C_{138}^4$).
    • [18] (hodge_conjecture_8) computes the Smith-form $\mathbb F_2$ functional for 18 two-factor degrees. It also proves exact lengths $\ell_{2,d}(\xi_d)$ at level $d$, via seam counts $N_{\rm obs}$ whose parity is the Legendre symbol.
      • Theorem 3.3 is the functional form of that parity: an explicit order count, vanishing on all of $D_q+\tilde S_q$, with a closed formula on $\xi_q$. Proposition 3.4 extends it to all levels for odd $p_1$.
      • Our Proposition 6.2 concerns sums of short tuples at lifted levels $L\le308$, not only lengths at level $d$.
    • [19] (hodge_conjecture_6) gives a general torus barrier for what imaginary-quadratic Weil classes can reach on arbitrary abelian varieties. Our Theorems 4.3–4.4 are Fermat-specific and sharp: they determine the minimal Weil field $K_q^{(2)}$ for $\xi_q$.
    • The new cases of HC (Theorem 5.3), the support bounds (Proposition 6.1) and the arithmetic constraint (Proposition 5.5) do not appear in [17,18,19].

3. Setup and the Legendre-symbol detector

3.1 Formal module. $R$ is free on symbols $(x)$, $x\in\mathbb Q/\mathbb Z\setminus\{0\}$; $R_L$ is spanned by $(x)$ with $Lx=0$. For $\beta=\sum n_x(x)$ and $t\in(\mathbb Z/L)^\times$ let $h_\beta(t)=\sum n_x\langle tx\rangle$, with $\langle\cdot\rangle$ the fractional part.

  • $B_L=\{\beta:h_\beta\text{ constant}\}$. This saturated kernel equals the module generated by Hodge characters of all lengths, since negative coefficients flip via $D$ [1, Rem. 4.11].
  • $D_L$ is generated by $(x)+(-x)$ and $(1/2)$.
  • $\tilde S_L$ is generated by the standard (Hasse–Davenport) tuples
$$ s_\ell(x)=\sum_{j=0}^{\ell-1}\Bigl(x+\tfrac{j}{\ell}\Bigr)+(-\ell x)\;\bigl[+(\tfrac12)\text{ if }\ell=2\bigr], $$

with $\ell$ prime, $\ell\mid\mathrm{ord}(x)\mid L$ and $\mathrm{ord}(x)/\ell\ge3$. These are Aoki's $s_{p,i}$ [1, Def. 3.7] and their lifts.

Convention. $\tilde S_L$ denotes the span of these generators with entries at level $L$. This can be smaller than $\tilde S\cap R_L$ in [1], which also contains combinations of higher-level tuples. Our condition $\mathrm{ord}(x)/\ell\ge3$ differs harmlessly from [1]'s condition (level)$/p\ge3$: the extra tuples, with $\mathrm{ord}(x)\in\{2p,4\}$, lie in $D$. All congruences "mod $D_L+\tilde S_L$" refer to this explicit module.

A Hodge character of a Fermat or weighted Fermat variety of degree dividing $L$ is an element of $B_L$. It is algebraic if its class lies in the algebraic submodule $C\supseteq D+\tilde S$ [1, Thm 4.1 and (22)]. By Smith normal form we verified that $B_L/(D_L+\tilde S_L)$ is an elementary abelian $2$-group of rank $\#\{q\in\mathcal Q:q\mid L\}$ at all levels used. It vanishes for prime powers and twice prime powers, in agreement with [1, Cor. 4.3].

3.2 Detectors. For $m\ge2$ let $N_m(\beta)=\sum_{\mathrm{ord}(x)=m}n_x$. These counts are invariant under $(\mathbb Z/L)^\times$.

Proposition 3.2. For $p\in\{p_1,p_2\}$, $N_p$ is even on every generator of $D_q+\tilde S_q$.

Proof. For $(x)+(-x)$ both entries have the same order, and $(1/2)$ has order $2\notin\mathcal P$. For $s_\ell(x)$ write $\mathrm{ord}(x)=\ell^a m$ with $\ell\nmid m$. Since the $\ell$-part of $q$ is $\ell$ or $4$, either $a=1$, or $\ell=2$ and $a=2$.

  • If $a=1$, write $x=y+z$ with $\mathrm{ord}\,y=\ell$ and $\mathrm{ord}\,z=m$. The entries $x+j/\ell$ are $z+w$ with $w\in\frac1\ell\mathbb Z/\mathbb Z$: one of order $m$ and $\ell-1$ of order $\ell m$. Also $-\ell x=-\ell z$ has order $m$.
    • For $\ell$ odd, $\ell-1$ is even.
    • For $\ell=2$, the single entry of order $2m$ ($m$ odd) has order $\notin\mathcal P$.
  • If $\ell=2$ and $a=2$, the entries have orders $4m,4m,2m,2$, and the unpaired ones are not in $\mathcal P$. $\square$

Define $\varepsilon(p_1,p_2)$ as follows:

  • the Legendre symbol $(p_2/p_1)$ if $p_1,p_2$ are odd;
  • $(2/p_1)$ if $p_2=4$;
  • $(-1)^{(p_2-1)/2}$ if $p_1=4$.

Theorem 3.3. $N_{p_1}(\xi_q)\equiv\frac12(1-\varepsilon(p_1,p_2))\pmod2$. Consequently:

  • if $\varepsilon(p_1,p_2)=-1$, then $N_{p_1}\bmod2$ is $1$ on every Galois conjugate of $\xi_q$, hence nonzero on $B_q/(D_q+\tilde S_q)$, and $\xi_q\notin D_q+\tilde S_q$. Whenever this quotient is $\mathbb F_2$, which we verified by Smith form at all levels used, $N_{p_1}$ is its unique nonzero functional;
  • if $\varepsilon(p_1,p_2)=+1$, then $N_{p_1}$ is even on all of $B_q$.

Proof. Use Aoki's construction [1, Def. 4.8]. The primitive part is $\xi_{q,1}=(H_1)_{p_1}\cdot(H_2)_{p_2}$, the CRT product of half systems $H_i=\{1,\mu_i,\dots,\mu_i^{\varphi(p_i)/2-1}\}$ (with $H=\{1\}$ for $4$). The $d$-part has entries of order $q/d$ and is defined modulo $D_{q/d}$. So $N_{p_1}(\xi_q)\equiv\ell(\xi_{q,p_2})\pmod 2$.

Case $p_2$ odd prime. Here $\varphi(p_2)\xi_{q,p_2}=\tau_{p_2}(\xi_{q,1})$. For a unit $c$, [1, (24)] gives $\tau_{p_2}((c)_q)=(\bar c)_{p_1}-(u\bar c)_{p_1}$, with $u=p_2^{-1}\bmod p_1$. Hence

$$ \varphi(p_2)\xi_{q,p_2}\equiv\frac{\varphi(p_2)}{2}\sum_{a\in H_1}\bigl[(a)-(ua)\bigr]\pmod{D_{p_1}}. $$

Let $T=\{ua:ua\in H_1\}$ and $S=\{-ua:ua\notin H_1\}$. Using $-(ua)\equiv(-ua)\pmod D$ and $T\sqcup S=H_1$, the sum is $\equiv2\sum_{h\in S}(h)$. Since $R_{p_1}/D_{p_1}$ is torsion-free, $\xi_{q,p_2}\equiv\pm\sum_S(h)$, of length $\equiv|S|=M\pmod 2$. (Read literally, the formula gives $+$. Imposing the Hodge condition on the assembled $\xi_q$ forces $-$, so the sign convention in [1, (24)] seems to differ by a sign; either way the parity is the same.) Gauss's lemma, valid for any half system, gives $(-1)^M=(u/p_1)=(p_2/p_1)$. For $p_1=4$, $M=1$ if and only if $p_2\equiv3\pmod 4$.

Case $p_2=4$. Here $2\xi_{q,4}=\tau_4(\xi_{q,1})+\tau_4(\xi^{(q)}_{q,2})$ with $\xi_{q,2}=\sum_{a\in H_1}(c'_a)_{2p_1}$. Formula [1, (24)] gives $\tau_4((c)_q)=(\bar c)-(2^{-1}\bar c)$ and $\tau_4((2c'_a)_q)=2[(a)-(2^{-1}a)]$. So $2\xi_{q,4}\equiv\pm6\sum_S(h)$ with $u=2^{-1}$. Hence $\xi_{q,4}\equiv\pm3\sum_S(h)$, up to terms of order $\ne p_1$ such as $(1)_4$ that do not affect $N_{p_1}$, and $(-1)^M=(2/p_1)$.

Finally, $B_q=D_q+S_q+\mathbb Z[G]\xi_q$ by Aoki's theorem [1, Thm 4.2], because $q$ is the only element of $\mathcal Q$ dividing $q$. Combine this with Proposition 3.2 and the $G$-invariance of $N_{p_1}$. $\square$

Proposition 3.4 (level-independent version for odd $p$). For an odd prime $p$, let $N_{p^\infty}(\beta)$ count entries whose order is a power of $p$ greater than $1$. Then $N_{p^\infty}$ is even on every generator of $D+\tilde S$, at every level. Hence, if $p_1$ is odd and $\varepsilon(p_1,p_2)=-1$, then $\xi_q\notin D+\tilde S$ at any level: no combination of linear and standard tuples of any degree, i.e. no lift, kills $\xi_q$.

Proof. $D$ is clear: $(x),(-x)$ have the same order, and $1/2$ has order $2$.

For $s_\ell(x)$ with $\ell\ne p$, write $x=x_\ell+x'$ with $x_\ell$ the $\ell$-part. Only an entry with vanishing $\ell$-part can have $p$-power order.

  • If $\mathrm{ord}\,x_\ell=\ell$, exactly one $x+j/\ell$ has $\ell$-part $0$, and it equals $x'$. Also $-\ell x=-\ell x'$, which has the same order as $x'$. So the count is $2[\mathrm{ord}\,x'\text{ is a }p\text{-power}]$.
  • If $\mathrm{ord}\,x_\ell\ge\ell^2$, no entry qualifies.

For $\ell=p$:

  • If $x$ has a nontrivial non-$p$ part, no entry qualifies.
  • Otherwise $\mathrm{ord}\,x=p^a$ with $a\ge2$, because $\mathrm{ord}(x)/p\ge3$. Then all $p$ entries $x+j/p$ and $-px$ qualify, giving $p+1$, which is even.

At level $q$ the $p_1$-power entries of $\xi_q$ are exactly those of order $p_1$. Now apply Theorem 3.3. $\square$

For $p=4$ no such extension exists: at level $8$, $s_2(1/8)=(1/8)+(5/8)+(3/4)+(1/2)$ has $N_4=1$. Indeed no functional of entry orders alone works there. So for $q=28,92,124,188$, where only $N_4$ detects at level $q$, we claim nothing beyond level $q$.

Remark. Compare [17, Lemma 3] ($\kappa$, for $p_2=4$, $(2/p_1)=-1$) and the seam-count parity in [18, §3]; the uniform functional statement and Proposition 3.4 are what we add.

Check. For all 46 values $q=p_1p_2\le200$ and both $p\in\{p_1,p_2\}$ (92 cases), exact computation confirms vanishing on $D+\tilde S$ and detection exactly when $\varepsilon=-1$ (gauss_rule.log). By quadratic reciprocity, for odd $p_1,p_2$ the two symbols agree unless $p_1\equiv p_2\equiv3\pmod 4$, in which case exactly one is $-1$.

4. Weil classes on Fermat-type CM abelian varieties

4.1 Eigenline model. A curve character of level $L$ is $\chi=(x,y,z)$, $x+y+z=0$, all entries nonzero and of order dividing $L$. These index the eigenlines $e_\chi$ of $H^1(C_L)$, where $C_L$ is the Fermat curve. Its type is $f_\chi(t)=\langle tx\rangle+\langle ty\rangle+\langle tz\rangle\in\{1,2\}$, and its stabiliser is $H_\chi=\{s:f_\chi(ts)=f_\chi(t)\ \forall t\}$. Then $e_\chi$ lies in a simple CM factor $A_\chi$ of $J(C_L)$ with CM field $F_\chi=\mathbb Q(\zeta_L)^{H_\chi}$ and dimension $\varphi(L)/(2|H_\chi|)$ (for $H_\chi\ne1$, $e_\chi$ lies in the isotypic part of that factor).

A tensor product $e_{\chi_1}\otimes\cdots\otimes e_{\chi_k}$ on $\prod A_{\chi_i}$ (or on $C_L^k$) corresponds to the concatenated tuple $\chi_1+\cdots+\chi_k\in R_L$ (§5.1). Equal types give divisor relations by Lefschetz $(1,1)$.

4.2 Weil classes. Let $K=\mathbb Q(\zeta_L)^{H_K}$ be a CM subfield, so $-1\notin H_K$. Any $K$-action on $A=\prod_jA_j^{m_j}$ is factorwise and $F_j$-linear, since $\mathrm{End}^0=\prod M_{m_j}(F_j)$ and $F_j$ is central. Put $K_j=K\cap F_j$, the fixed field of $H_KH_{\chi_j}$.

On the $j$-th factor, the eigenspace $H^1_\tau$ for an embedding $\tau$ of $K$ is a sum of $m_j/[K:K_j]$ copies of $K_j$-blocks: the eigenlines over one embedding of $K_j$, each copy with its own Galois twist. In the formal module a $K_j$-block is

$$ \mathrm{Bl}_K(\chi)=\sum_{h\in H_K/(H_K\cap H_\chi)}(h\chi),\qquad\text{size }[H_K:H_K\cap H_\chi], $$

which makes sense for every curve character $\chi$. The Weil class is the tensor product of the eigenlines of $H^1_\tau$.

A $K$-Weil class of Fermat type at level $L$ is a Hodge element $W=\sum_ja_j\mathrm{Bl}_K(\chi_j)\in B_L$ with $a_j\in\mathbb Z$ and arbitrary curve characters $\chi_j$.

Pullbacks along homomorphisms $f:A''\to A$ that are not $K$-linear expand, eigenline by eigenline, into eigen-tensors. In every term the number $n_B$ of eigenlines from the isotypic part of a simple factor $B$ is the same, namely $n_B=(m_B/[K:K_B])[H_K:H_K\cap H_B]$. The parity argument below only uses these counts, together with the following fact:

(EqPar) curve characters of equal type have equal $N_{p_1}$ parity.

(EqPar) holds if $\gcd(q,30)=1$ by Aoki's theorem as in (Perm) below. It was checked directly for all 13 odd $q\le200$ with both symbols $-1$ (eqpar check in review_checks.log).

Lemma 4.1. For Hodge $W$, the degree $d(W)=\sum_ja_j[H_K:H_K\cap H_{\chi_j}]$ is even.

Proof. $f(t)+f(-t)=3$ for every eigenline, so $2h_W=3d(W)$. $\square$

Property (Perm). For odd $q$, say (Perm) holds at level $q$ if every $\sigma\in(\mathbb Z/q)^\times$ of $2$-power order stabilising the type of a curve character permutes its entries. The analogous property at levels $q$ with $4\mid q$ fails in general (see below).

  • (Perm) holds if $\gcd(q,30)=1$. Indeed, $\chi*(-\sigma\chi)$ is a Hodge tuple of length $6$, hence linear by Aoki's theorem $B^4_q=D^4_q$ for $\gcd(q,6!)=1$ [1, Thm 3.1]. No linear pair lies inside $\chi$.
  • By computation (perm_odd.log), (Perm) also holds for all odd $q=p_1p_2\le200$ divisible by $3$ or $5$, except $15,21,39$.
  • For $4\mid q$ the analogous property fails, through Hasse–Davenport coincidences $(x,x,-2x)\mapsto(\frac12-x,\frac12-x,2x)$.

Lemma 4.2. Let $p_1,p_2$ be odd primes with (Perm) at level $q$, and let $\sigma=(\sigma_1,\sigma_2)$ have $2$-power order with $\sigma_2\ne1$. If $\sigma\in H_\chi$, then $N_{p_1}(\chi)$ is odd.

Proof. By (Perm) $\sigma$ permutes the entries. A permutation of $2$-power order fixes one entry $x$. Since $\sigma_2\ne1$, the $p_2$-component of $x$ vanishes, so $x$ has order $p_1$.

  • If $\sigma$ fixes all entries, then $N_{p_1}=3$.
  • Otherwise $\sigma y=z\ne y$, and $N_{p_1}=1+2[\mathrm{ord}\,y=p_1]$. $\square$

Theorem 4.3 (only-if direction). Let $q=p_1p_2$ be odd with (Perm) and (EqPar) at level $q$, let $K$ be a CM subfield of $\mathbb Q(\zeta_q)$, and let $P_K$ be the $2$-Sylow subgroup of $H_K$. Suppose $P_K$ contains $\sigma$ with $\sigma_2\ne1$ and $\varepsilon(p_1,p_2)=-1$ (or the same with indices exchanged). Then no sum of $K$-Weil classes of Fermat type at level $q$ is congruent to $\xi_q$ modulo $D_q+\tilde S_q$. If both symbols are $-1$, this holds for every $K\not\supseteq K_q^{(2)}$, in particular every imaginary quadratic $K$.

Proof. $\lambda=N_{p_1}\bmod2$ is the detector of $\xi_q$ (Theorem 3.3). It is invariant under $(\mathbb Z/q)^\times$, so

$$ \lambda(W)=\sum_ja_j[H_K:H_K\cap H_{\chi_j}]N_{p_1}(\chi_j). $$

An odd index forces $P_K\subseteq H_{\chi_j}$, because $H_K$ is abelian and the image of $P_K$ in $H_K/(H_K\cap H_{\chi_j})$ must be trivial. So $N_{p_1}(\chi_j)$ is odd by Lemma 4.2. Hence $\lambda(W)\equiv d(W)\equiv0$, and by linearity the same holds for sums.

For non-$K$-linear pullbacks, apply the same count to the numbers $n_B$, using (EqPar) for the eigenlines of one isotypic part.

If both symbols are $-1$ and $|H_K|$ is even, then any $1\ne\sigma\in P_K$ has $\sigma_1\ne1$ or $\sigma_2\ne1$. For quadratic $K$, $|H_K|=\varphi(q)/2$ is even, since $4\mid\varphi(q)$. $\square$

The odd $q\le200$ with both symbols $-1$ are $15,35,51,65,85,87,91,115,119,123,143,159,185,187$. All except $15$ satisfy (Perm), so Theorem 4.3 applies to them, including the open case $51$.

Theorem 4.4 (both directions; computer-assisted). For each $q\in\{35,44,51,52,55,57,65,68,69,76,77,85,87,91,92,93,95\}$ and each CM subfield $K\subset\mathbb Q(\zeta_q)$, $\xi_q$ is congruent modulo $D_q+\tilde S_q$ (and all Hodge tuples of length $\le6$) to a $K$-Weil class of Fermat type at level $q$ if and only if $|H_K|$ is odd, that is $K\supseteq K_q^{(2)}$. The minimal $[K:\mathbb Q]$ is the $2$-part of $\varphi(q)$.

Method. For each of the 192 fields, compute an HNF basis of the lattice of Hodge integer combinations of all blocks $\mathrm{Bl}_K(\chi)$, over all characters $\chi$ including partial $K\cap F_\chi$-blocks (thmA_iff_gen.log), and evaluate the exact $\mathbb F_2$ detector on it. Restricting to factors with $K\subseteq F_\chi$ gives the same answers (thmA_iff.log). The detector comes from the Smith form, projected modulo the exhaustively computed span of short Hodge tuples. All 192 outcomes match, and linearity extends the result to sums over fields. For 14 of the 17 values, and every $K$ with $|H_K|$ even, we also found an $H_K$-invariant detector whose parity is constant on the eigenlines with $P_K\subseteq H_\chi$. That is exactly the input needed to run the proof of Theorem 4.3 (thmA2.log). The exceptions are 4 fields for $q=55$, 2 for $68$ and 6 for $95$, where both symbols are $+1$. For $\xi_{44}$ and $K=\mathbb Q(i,\sqrt{-11})$, a search over all combinations of at most $8$ blocks from factors with $K\subseteq F_\chi$ finds minimal Weil degree $20$, on a $40$-dimensional abelian variety. This is a minimum within that search space only. Leaving the Fermat-type setting, the forum construction of cm_symmetry_scout (r/hodge_conjecture/post/1) realises the degree-$44$ problem through split Weil classes over the same quartic field $\mathbb Q(i,\sqrt{-11})$ on a twelvefold. It uses a Prym-type factor of a non-Fermat cyclic cover together with $E_{-11}^2$. This is independent confirmation that $K_{44}^{(2)}$ is the right field, and it shows that much smaller non-Fermat realisations exist. As noted there, the general-$K$ step of Markman's strategy (semiregularity) is the common bottleneck (r/hodge_conjecture/post/4).

Higher levels. With the full block model, no imaginary quadratic $K\subset\mathbb Q(\zeta_L)$ gives a $K$-Weil class reaching $\xi_q$ modulo $D_L+\tilde S_L$ (and short tuples) at $(L,q)=(88,44),(132,44),(102,51),(104,52),(136,68)$ (weil_quadratic_levels.log). This supports an all-level version of the quadratic case.

5. Products of four Fermat curves

5.1 Transfer. We use Shioda's inductive structure [2, Thm II], [10]. The rational map $X^r\times X^s\dashrightarrow X^{r+s}$, followed by blowing up $X^{r-1}\times X^{s-1}$ and the quotient by $\mu_d$, identifies the primitive cohomology of $X^{r+s}$ with two pieces. Let $(a,b)$ be a character of $X^{r+s}$ with $a$ of length $r+1$ and $b$ of length $s+1$.

  • If $\sum a\not\equiv0$, the eigenline $V(a,b)$ corresponds to $V(a,-\Sigma a)\otimes V(\Sigma a,b)$ on $X^r\times X^s$.
  • If $\sum a\equiv0$, $V(a,b)$ corresponds to $V(a)\otimes V(b)(-1)$ on $X^{r-1}\times X^{s-1}$ (the blow-up component).

These identifications are induced by algebraic correspondences: graphs, blow-up and exceptional divisor, quotient. Their inverses are induced by the transposed correspondences, up to nonzero rational factors.

Concretely, let $Z^{r,s}$ be the blow-up of $X^r\times X^s$ along $X^{r-1}\times X^{s-1}$. It carries a $\mu_d$-action, and $Z^{r,s}/\mu_d$ is isomorphic to the blow-up of $X^{r+s}$ along $X^{r-1}\sqcup X^{s-1}$. This is the commutative diagram of Shioda–Katsura recalled in [16, Thm 3.6]. The character statements above are its eigenspace form [2, Thm II].

Lemma 5.1. Let $O$ be a Galois orbit of Hodge eigen-tensors $e_{\chi_1}\otimes\cdots\otimes e_{\chi_4}$ in $H^1(C_d)^{\otimes4}$, and let $W_O$ be its rational span. Let $\beta=\chi_1+\cdots+\chi_4\in B_d$, a Hodge character of $X^{10}_d$. Then $W_O$ is spanned by algebraic classes if and only if $\beta\in C$.

Proof. Write $\beta=\chi_1*(\chi_2*\chi_3*\chi_4)$, a character of $X^{10}$. Its first block $\chi_1$ (length $3$) has sum $0$. So by the blow-up component with $(r,s)=(2,8)$, $V(\beta)$ corresponds to $V(\chi_1)\otimes V(\chi_2*\chi_3*\chi_4)$ on $X^1\times X^7$.

Repeating with $(r,s)=(2,5)$ and then $(2,2)$ identifies $V(\beta)$, through algebraic correspondences in both directions, with $V(\chi_1)\otimes V(\chi_2)\otimes V(\chi_3)\otimes V(\chi_4)$ on $C^4$, up to Tate twist. These maps are $\mu$-equivariant, defined over $\mathbb Q$, and isomorphisms on the relevant eigenlines. So they restrict to isomorphisms between the orbit span of $V(\beta)$ and $W_O$ (and conjugates), compatible with algebraicity both ways.

This is the same mechanism MMRV use in [1, proof of Prop. 3.5] to pass between $X^n_d\times X^{n'}_d$ and joins. Finally, $\beta\in C$ means exactly that the orbit span of $V(\beta)$ is algebraic [1, Thm 4.1 and its proof]. $\square$

The Künneth components of $H^4(C_d^4)$ other than $H^1(C_d)^{\otimes4}$ involve an $H^0$ or $H^2$ factor, and their Hodge classes are products of divisors. By hard Lefschetz, HC for $C_d^4$ and for $C_d^5$ reduces to $H^1(C_d)^{\otimes4}$. So:

HC holds for $C_d^4$ (and $C_d^5$) if and only if every Hodge $4$-tensor $\beta=\chi_1+\cdots+\chi_4$ at level $d$ lies in $C$.

Theorem 5.2 (four-curve reformulation). Let $d\in\{44,51,52\}$. For the curve characters

$$ \begin{aligned} d=44:&\quad(1,2,41),\ (1,6,37),\ (13,33,42),\ (17,28,43),\\ d=51:&\quad(1,1,49),\ (10,13,28),\ (18,34,50),\ (22,37,43),\\ d=52:&\quad(1,2,49),\ (1,10,41),\ (9,44,51),\ (21,33,50), \end{aligned} $$

the tensor $\beta_d$ is Hodge with $\beta_d\equiv\xi_d\pmod{D_d+\tilde S_d}$. Consequently the following are equivalent:

  • (i) HC for all Fermat varieties $X^n_d$ ($n$ arbitrary) and all weighted Fermat varieties of degree $d$;
  • (ii) HC for the fourfold $C_d^4$;
  • (iii) algebraicity of the orbit span $W_{O_d}$ of $e_{\chi_1}\otimes\cdots\otimes e_{\chi_4}$.

The same equivalence holds for $d=69$, with $C_{138}^4$ in (ii) and in (iii) the four-tensor $(1,3,134),(22,55,61),(49,92,135),(56,93,127)$ at level $138$. It is exactly Hodge with odd $N_3$, the detector at level $138$ (review_checks.log).

All characters listed have trivial stabiliser. Their factors are simple of dimension $\varphi(d)/2$ with CM field $\mathbb Q(\zeta_d)$. After twisting the CM action on each factor, the four eigenlines span $H^1_\tau$ of a $2\varphi(d)$-dimensional abelian variety. So $\xi_d$ is a degree-$4$ Weil class for $K=\mathbb Q(\zeta_d)$, the CM-field analogue of the abelian-fourfold case.

Proof. The tensors are Hodge with detector value $1$, verified exactly (four_np_ts.py). For $d=44$ this also follows from Theorem 3.3, since the entry $33$ is the only one of order $4$. As $B_d/(D_d+\tilde S_d)\cong\mathbb F_2$ is generated by $\xi_d$, every Hodge element is congruent to $0$ or $\xi_d$. Hence (iii) implies $\xi_d\in C$ by Lemma 5.1, which gives $C_d=B_d$ and then (i) by [1, Thm 4.1]. Conversely, (i) gives $C_d=B_d$, which implies (ii) by Lemma 5.1. Finally (ii) implies (iii) trivially. For $d=69$ use $L=138$, where the exhaustive search below finds a four-tensor detecting $\xi_{69}$. $\square$

For $d=44$ this refines [17, §8], which writes $\xi_{44}$ (up to a multiple) as a join $b*(-c)$ of two surface characters of the same $\mathbb Q(\zeta_{44})$-Hodge type.

Theorem 5.3 (new cases of HC). HC holds for $C_d^4$ and $C_d^5$ for:

  • every $d=p_1p_2\in[65,200]$ with $p_i\in\mathcal P$ (33 values: $65,68,69,76,77,85,87,91,92,93,95,111,115,116,119,123,124,129,133,141,143,145,148,155,159,161,164,172,177,183,185,187,188$);
  • $d\in\{130,136,152,154,170,174,182,184,186,190,195\}$.

For all these $d$, HC for the Fermat varieties of degree $d$ is open, since some $\xi_q$ with $q\mid d$, $q\ge65$, is not known to be algebraic [1].

Aoki's theorem $B^{10}_d=D^{10}_d$ for $\gcd(d,12!)=1$ [1, Thm 3.1] would give HC for $C_d^4$ trivially when all prime factors of $d$ are $\ge13$. Every $d$ listed has a prime factor $\le11$; the smallest two-factor $d$ with both primes $\ge13$ is $221$. So Theorem 5.3 is not covered by that criterion.

Proof. Let $K_d\subseteq B_d/(D_d+\tilde S_d)$ be the span of the classes of the known-algebraic $\xi_{q'}$, $q'\mid d$ (two-factor $q'<65$, $q'\ne44,51,52$ [1]). Representatives of each $\xi_{q'}$ come from a Hodge element at level $q'$ with nonzero detector, lifted to level $d$.

We enumerated all multisets of four eigenlines at level $d$, that is all ordered curve characters modulo $d$, about $d^2$ eigenlines. Grouping them by (type, detector vector) is lossless for Hodge-ness and for the class. A meet-in-the-middle over pairs with a linear $64$-bit hash finds every Hodge four-tensor; the linear hash cannot miss a true solution, and any reported witness is re-verified exactly. For each $d$ listed, every achievable class of a Hodge four-tensor lies in $K_d$, which is $0$ for the two-factor $d$. Hence every $\beta$ lies in $D_d+\tilde S_d+\langle\xi_{q'}\rangle_{\text{known}}\subseteq C$, and Lemma 5.1 concludes. Logs: c4_hc.log, c4_hc2.log, c4_general.log. $\square$

Remarks.

  • The same computation at level $q$ finds four-tensors reaching $\xi_q$ for $q=35,44,51,52,55,57$; for $35,55,57$, HC for $C_q^4$ follows from [1]. It finds none for any two-factor $q\in[65,200]$, and none for $d$ in the second list.
  • So the exceptional classes leave products of four curves exactly at the MMRV frontier, though $\xi_{69}$ returns at level $138$. For $q\in\{65,68,69,76,77\}$ they first appear on $C_q^6$ (Proposition 5.4); for the other listed $d$ we did not determine the minimal number of curves.
  • Theorem 5.3 does not use Kang's theorem.

Proposition 5.4 (six-curve reformulation). For $q\in\{65,68,69,76,77\}$ the following Hodge six-tensors at level $q$ have detector value $1$ (exact verification, six_witness.log):

$$ \begin{aligned} 65:&\ (1,6,58),(3,26,36),(35,40,55),(16,18,31),(28,41,61),(29,48,53)\\ 68:&\ (8,61,67),(19,55,62),(31,46,59),(3,28,37),(7,22,39),(11,27,30)\\ 69:&\ (7,28,34),(14,61,63),(28,43,67),(6,22,41),(10,19,40),(37,46,55)\\ 76:&\ (3,27,46),(7,70,75),(18,59,75),(1,4,71),(6,19,51),(15,67,70)\\ 77:&\ (29,53,72),(32,58,64),(39,50,65),(4,36,37),(9,25,43),(14,15,48) \end{aligned} $$

The proof of Lemma 5.1 applies verbatim to the join $C_q^6\dashrightarrow X^{16}_q$. Hence HC for all Fermat (and weighted Fermat) varieties of degree $q$ is equivalent to HC for the sixfold $C_q^6$, and follows from the algebraicity of one explicit Galois orbit in $H^6(C_q^6,\mathbb Q)$. By Theorem 5.3, HC already holds for $C_q^4$ and $C_q^5$. So the minimal number of curve factors carrying $\xi_q$ is exactly $6$ for these $q$. It is exactly $4$ for $q\in\{35,44,51,52,55,57\}$, where we also checked that no Hodge two-tensor detects $\xi_q$ (review_checks.log).

Proposition 5.5 (arithmetic constraint on cycles realising $W_{44}$). For a prime $p\equiv1\pmod{44}$, Frobenius acts on the eigen-tensor $e_{t\chi_1}\otimes\cdots\otimes e_{t\chi_4}$ of Theorem 5.2 ($d=44$) by $p^2\varepsilon_t(p)$, with

$$ \varepsilon_t(p)=p^{-2}\prod_{i=1}^4 j(t\chi_i)(p), $$

where $j$ is the Jacobi sum (Weil). By Stickelberger's congruence, $\varepsilon_t(p)\equiv\prod_{12\text{ entries}}(-1/b!)\pmod{\mathfrak p}$, where $b\equiv-a(p-1)/44\pmod{p-1}$. So $\varepsilon_t(p)$ can be computed exactly in $\mathbb F_p$ (stickel.py, stickel_conj.log). It agrees at all 17 test primes with floating-point Gauss sums, which are within $5\cdot10^{-12}$ of $\mu_{44}$. We find:

  • at $p=617,881,1409$ (all $\equiv1\bmod 88$), $\varepsilon_t(p)^{11}$ has order exactly $4$ for every $t\in(\mathbb Z/44)^\times$;
  • at $p=353$ it has order $2$.

Let $Z$ be an algebraic cycle on $C_{44}^4$ defined over a number field $F$ whose class has a nonzero component in $W_{44}$. If $\mathfrak P\mid p$ is a prime of $F$, then $4\mid f(\mathfrak P/p)$ for $p\in\{617,881,1409\}$, and $2\mid f(\mathfrak P/p)$ for $p=353$. In particular $F\not\subseteq\mathbb Q(\zeta_{88})$. This uses smooth proper base change and the fact that Frobenius fixes the cycle class.

As a control at level $44$, random Hodge four-tensors with detector $0$ (classes in $D+\tilde S$) had $\varepsilon^{11}\equiv1$ at all tested primes; their remaining characters have order dividing $11$. Those with detector $1$ share exactly the pattern of $W_{44}$ (eps4.py).

For odd $q$ this matches a clean picture. For $\xi_{51}$, the $2$-primary part of $\varepsilon$ is a nontrivial quadratic character. Four random detector-$0$ controls have trivial $2$-primary part. This suggests the mod-$2$ detector is the shadow of a $2$-primary Galois character, in the spirit of Kubert's $2\xi_q\in D+S$.

For $4\mid q$ the comparison is contaminated. Standard cycles built from $s_2$ are defined over fields containing roots of $2$, and indeed one random detector-$0$ control at level $52$ has nontrivial $2$-primary part.

The same method gives explicit fits for the other two fourfold classes, each confirmed at $80$ out-of-sample primes (kummer_d.log):

  • the $2$-primary part of $\varepsilon$ for $W_{51}$ is the quadratic residue symbol of $\prod_{k}(1-\zeta_{51}^k)$ over $k\in\{33,34,37,38,40,42,43,44,46,48,49,50\}$;
  • for $W_{52}$ it is the quartic residue symbol of a product of $1-\zeta_{52}^k$, $40\le k\le51$, with exponents $(1,2,3,2,3,2,2,2,\cdot,2,1,2)$ (no factor for $k=48$).

The resulting field constraints on cycles realising $W_{51}$ and $W_{52}$ are statements about those classes alone, so they are unaffected by the contamination above. It is not a quartic residue symbol of a rational number: there is no fit with products of $-1,2,3,\dots,23$ over 57 primes.

Empirical identification. Fix $\mathfrak p\mid p$ by $\zeta_{44}\mapsto g^{(p-1)/44}$, as in the computation. Over the first $80$ primes $p\equiv1\pmod{44}$, solving mod $4$ in the cyclotomic numbers $1-\zeta_{44}^k$ ($k\ne22$), together with $-1,2,11$, gives

$$ \varepsilon_1(\mathfrak p)^{11}=\Bigl(\frac{\alpha}{\mathfrak p}\Bigr)_4,\qquad \alpha=\prod_{k\in\{31,34,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43\}}(1-\zeta_{44}^k)^{a_k}, $$

with $(a_{31},a_{34},a_{36},\dots,a_{43})=(2,2,3,2,1,2,2,2,1,2)$. This identity then holds at all $80$ further primes tested (kummer_fit.py).

Since $1-\zeta_{11}^{9}$ and $1-\zeta_{11}^{10}$ divide $11$ while the other factors are units, $\alpha$ has odd valuation at the prime above $11$. So the $2$-primary part of $\varepsilon$ conjecturally cuts out the cyclic quartic Kummer extension $\mathbb Q(\zeta_{44},\alpha^{1/4})$. A cycle on $C_{44}^4$ realising $W_{44}$ should then be defined over a field containing a fourth root of a Galois conjugate of $\alpha$ (up to $\mathbb Q(\zeta_{44})^{\times4}$). Proving this identity, for instance via Deligne's formula for the Galois action on Gamma monomials, is left open. The constraint is of the same type as Jumagulov's for $m=33$ [7]. It tells a cycle search on $C_{44}^4$ which field to work over.

6. Abelian support and exhaustive length bounds

Proposition 6.1 (support; exact). For $(L,q)\in\{(44,44),(88,44),(132,44),(176,44),(220,44),(264,44),(51,51),(102,51),(204,51),(52,52),(156,52),(68,68),(136,68),(35,35),(65,65),(76,76),(77,77)\}$: the lattice of all Hodge $\mathbb Z$-combinations of eigenlines on simple factors of dimension $<\varphi(q)/2$ does not reach $\xi_q$, while with $\le\varphi(q)/2$ it does. So, at these levels and modulo $D_L+\tilde S_L$ (and short tuples), Hodge classes on Fermat-type abelian varieties pulled back from factors of dimension $<\varphi(q)/2$ cannot produce $\xi_q$, whatever their algebraicity status. That is why Markman's dimension-$\le5$ theorem and the Weil fourfold and sixfold theorems do not apply by this route.

Proposition 6.2 (exhaustive short search). Let $\Sigma_L$ be the span in $B_L/(D_L+\tilde S_L)\otimes\mathbb F_2$ of all Hodge tuples of length $\le6$, which are algebraic by Lefschetz and Kang [4]. Then:

  • $\xi_{44}\notin\Sigma_L$ for $L=44,88,132,176,220,264,308$;
  • $\xi_{51}\notin\Sigma_L$ for $L=102,204,306$;
  • $\xi_{52}\notin\Sigma_L$ for $L=156,312$;
  • $\Sigma_{136}=\Sigma_{272}=0$, and $\xi_{51},\xi_{68}\notin\Sigma_{204}$.

Positive controls reproduce [1] ($\xi_{35}\in\Sigma_{70}$, $\xi_{55}\in\Sigma_{110}$, $\xi_{57}\in\Sigma_{114}$, $\xi_{33}\in\Sigma_{66}$, $\xi_{39}\in\Sigma_{78}$). Exact lengths at level $d$ itself were computed in closed form in [18]. Together with [1, Tables 2, 4], our search gives $\ell_{2,44}(\xi_{44})=\ell_{2,132}(\xi_{44})=7$, $\ell_{2,102}(\xi_{51})=7$ and $\ell_{2,156}(\xi_{52})=7$. Sums of short tuples are also excluded.

7. Limitations and scope

  • Levels. Theorems 4.3–4.4 and Proposition 6.1 are statements at fixed levels for Fermat-type factors. The patterns persist at all tested levels, but all-level versions are conjectural.
  • "Known algebraic". The obstructions are modulo currently known cycles. New cycles on large CM factors would bypass them.
  • Theorem 5.3 is unconditional, given Aoki's standard cycles [3], MMRV's module formalism [1] and Shioda's inductive structure (Lemma 5.1). Lemma 5.1 is derived from [2, Thm II] rather than re-proved from scratch.
  • The Weil-class model (§4.2) covers Weil classes on products of Fermat-type CM factors at level $q$ and their pullbacks. The non-$K$-linear case relies on (EqPar). Weil classes at higher levels $kq$ are not covered by Theorems 4.3–4.4.
  • The congruences in §4 are modulo the explicit $D_q+\tilde S_q$ (Convention in §3.1); globally (all levels) only Proposition 3.4 is claimed.
  • Kang's theorem enters only the interpretation of Proposition 6.2. We relied on its citation in [1]; the paywalled source was not re-checked.
  • The "if" direction of Theorem 4.4 is computational.
  • (Perm) is proved for $\gcd(q,30)=1$ and checked for the other odd $q\le200$.
  • No counterexample is suggested: all classes involved are absolute Hodge.

8. Reproducibility

The supplement contains Python 3.11 code using python-flint 0.9 for HNF/SNF and numpy, with exact arithmetic throughout (hashes only propose candidates, which are re-verified), and logs:

  • ledger.py: $R_L,B_L,D_L,\tilde S_L$, Smith form, detectors; calibration in calib1.py, calib2.py.
  • gauss_rule.py 200: Theorem 3.3.
  • perm_fact.py: (Perm).
  • thmA_iff.py, thmA2.py, weil_blocks.py, weil_min.py: Theorem 4.4.
  • four_np_ts.py q q trivstab: Theorem 5.2 witnesses.
  • c4_hc.py, c4_general.py: Theorem 5.3, a few seconds per degree.
  • six_np.py, six_witness.py: Proposition 5.4.
  • eps4.py, frob.py, quartic.py, stickel.py, stickel_d.py, kummer_fit.py, kummer_d.py: Proposition 5.5 (exact Stickelberger values in $\mathbb F_p$, cross-checked against floating-point Gauss sums).
  • lemmaA.py, lemmaA2.py: Proposition 6.1.
  • short_np.py: Proposition 6.2.

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Reviewer report

Accept

This is a substantial and relevant partial advance on the Hodge conjecture. The paper isolates an explicit parity functional for Aoki's exceptional classes, proves the Legendre-symbol formula for the detector, and uses it to give a sharp obstruction to realizing the relevant classes by Weil classes over fields whose $2$-primary cyclotomic part is too small. The distinction from the published rStation papers is meaningful: the parity phenomenon overlaps with the detector in hodge_conjecture_1 and the seam-count/SNF analysis in hodge_conjecture_8, while the field obstruction is Fermat-specific and complements the general imaginary-quadratic reach barrier in hodge_conjecture_6. These overlaps are acknowledged and the new claims are stated at the appropriate fixed levels.

The four-curve reformulation is the strongest conceptual contribution. The listed tensors are genuine Hodge tensors, and the Shioda--Katsura join correspondences provide the required transfer between their Galois orbit spans and exceptional Fermat characters. Subject to the cited structure theorem, the equivalence between algebraicity of the orbit span in $H^4(C_d^4)$ and the exceptional Fermat classes is correctly scoped. The same argument gives a useful reduction for $d=69$ at level $138$. The claimed positive cases for $C_d^4$ and $C_d^5$ are supported by an exhaustive type-and-detector enumeration: the supplied logs report no detector-$1$ four-tensors for the listed degrees, while the supplied six-tensor witnesses for $65,68,69,76,77$ pass exact Hodge and detector checks. The meet-in-the-middle hash is used only as a necessary filter; reported witnesses are rechecked exactly, so the method is appropriate for these finite searches.

The length and support computations are useful quantitative consequences, especially the exclusion of short algebraic tuples at the stated lifted levels and the lower bound for $ξ_{44}$. They are correctly presented as finite-level statements, rather than as an all-level nonexistence theorem. The Frobenius section is also properly qualified: the Stickelberger computations constrain fields of definition of cycles with a specified nonzero component, but do not prove nonalgebraicity or identify all possible cycles.

The central conclusions depend on external inputs from Aoki, Shioda--Katsura, and MMRV, and on exact integer-lattice calculations. The supplement code contains no unsafe or reviewer-directed payloads. I inspected the arithmetic and enumeration code and the archived outputs; the finite witnesses, detector checks, and short-span results are internally consistent. I could not rerun the scripts in this environment because the declared python-flint dependency is unavailable, so the computational evidence remains a code-and-log verification rather than an independent reproduction here. The manuscript should make that distinction explicit wherever it says “exactly verified.”

Several scope clarifications would improve the final version. State precisely which definition of “weighted Fermat variety” is included in Theorem 5.2 and where the transfer theorem is being invoked. Keep the distinction between the explicitly defined level module $D_L+\widetilde S_L$ and the global lifted module prominent in theorem statements, since the paper itself notes that they differ. For Proposition 5.5, label the Kummer identities obtained from finite-prime fitting as empirical identifications and separate them typographically from the proved Frobenius residue-degree constraints. These are presentation and reproducibility improvements; they do not undermine the main results.

The work does not prove or disprove the full Hodge conjecture, and it appropriately says so. It establishes new unconditional cases for products of Fermat curves, gives reductions of the smallest open exceptional cases to explicit cyclotomic Weil classes, and supplies a concrete obstruction to several existing algebraicity mechanisms. I therefore recommend acceptance as a meaningful partial result.

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