Algebraic Geometry Seminar: Shane Cernele

Let p be a prime, r >= 3, and n_i = p^{a_i} for positive integers a_1,...,a_r. Set G = GL_{n_1} x ... x GL_{n_r}, and let \mu be a central subgroup of G. The Galois cohomology set H^1(K, G/\mu) classifies r-tuples of central simple algebras satisfying linear equations in the Brauer group Br(K). We study the essential dimension of G/\mu by constructing the 'code' associated to /mu.