There are many parallels between the theories of the integers and the
polynomial ring in one variable over a finite field. In the 1930's
Carlitz constructed function field valued analogues of the Riemann
zeta function, and in 1980's Goss greatly generalized Carlitz's zeta
function to L-functions associated to Drinfeld modules. More recently
Thakur has defined multiple zeta values in positive characteristic in
line with classical multiple zeta values of Euler. In the classical
case there are many connections between special values of these
analytic functions and arithmetic invariants of their underlying
algebraic structures, and it is a natural question to ask to what
extent these expectations hold true in positive characteristic. In
spite of tantalizing examples, this remained a mystery for many years,
until Taelman proved a class number formula for special values in
2012.
In this talk we will survey the classical theory of Riemann zeta
values and multiple zeta values, as well as the history of Goss
L-series. This will lead to discussion of the advances of Taelman, as
well as further directions defined by Thakur on multiple zeta values
and Pellarin on deformations of Goss L-series. We will also present
results on Eulerian multiple zeta values and log-algebraic identities
for L-series attached to Drinfeld modules (joint with C.-Y. Chang, A.
El-Guindy, and J. Yu).
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