Arithmetic Fundamental Lemma for the spherical Hecke algebra

Abstract

We define Hecke correspondences and Hecke operators on unitary RZ spaces and study their basic geometric properties, including a commutativity conjecture on Hecke operators. Then we formulate the Arithmetic Fundamental Lemma conjecture for the spherical Hecke algebra. We also formulate a conjecture on the abundance of spherical Hecke functions with identically vanishing first derivative of orbital integrals. We prove these conjectures for the case $U(1)\times U(2)$.

50 pages. Revised, incorporating suggestions of the referee. To appear in Manuscripta Math