Bounds for a spectral exponential sum

Abstract

We prove new upper bounds for a spectral exponential sum by refining the process by which one evaluates mean values of $L$-functions multiplied by an oscillating function. In particular, we introduce a method which is capable of taking into consideration the oscillatory behaviour of the function. This gives an improvement of the result of Luo and Sarnak when $T\ge X^{1/6+2\theta /3}$. Furthermore, this proves the conjecture of Petridis and Risager in some ranges. Finally, this allows obtaining a new proof of the Soundararajan-Young error estimate in the prime geodesic theorem.

final version, to appear in J. Lond. Math. Soc