Galois self-dual cuspidal types and Asai local factors

Abstract

Let $F/F_{\mathsf{o}}$ be a quadratic extension of non-archimedean locally compact fields of odd residual characteristic and $\sigma$ be its non-trivial automorphism. We show that any $\sigma$-self-dual cuspidal representation of ${\rm GL}_n(F)$ contains a $\sigma$-self-dual Bushnell--Kutzko type. Using such a type, we construct an explicit test vector for Flicker's local Asai $L$-function of a ${\rm GL}_n(F_{\mathsf{o}})$-distinguished cuspidal representation and compute the associated Asai root number. Finally, by using global methods, we compare this root number to Langlands--Shahidi's local Asai root number, and more generally we compare the corresponding epsilon factors for any cuspidal representation.