The groups $\operatorname{SL}_2(\mathbb{F}_{13})$ and $\operatorname{SL}_2(\mathbb{F}_{19})$ are Galois over $\mathbb{Q}$

Abstract

In this paper, we show that $\operatorname{SL}_2(\mathbb{F}_{13})$ and $\operatorname{SL}_2(\mathbb{F}_{19})$ are Galois groups of totally real extensions of $\mathbb{Q}$. For each of these primes $\ell$, we find a polynomial of degree $\ell+1$ whose splitting field has Galois group $\operatorname{PSL}_2(\mathbb{F}_\ell)$. These fields satisfy B\"oge's criterion and the associated central embedding problem has a proper solution with Galois group $\operatorname{SL}_2(\mathbb{F}_\ell)$. One can choose the resulting fields totally real via a quadratic twist. The degree $14$ polynomial is found through a genus one Hurwitz family of degree 14 covers. The degree 20 polynomial is found using Yang's modular equations for the Shimura curve $X_6^*(1)$.