Weak and genuine A_n-formality for number fields

Abstract

We introduce weak $A_n$-formality for Galois cochain algebras and, for profinite groups whose mod-$p$ cohomology is concentrated in degrees at most two, characterise weak and genuine $A_n$-formality through finite embedding problems and the projective system they form. We then study $A_n$-formality for number fields. Let $K$ be a number field and let $p$ be an odd prime with $μ_p\not\subset K$. For $p\geq 5$, and for $p=3$ under a natural local cyclotomic condition, we prove that every associated finite $A_3$-embedding problem is solvable. In contrast, for every odd $p$ with $μ_p\not\subset K$, we show that no compatible family of finite-stage solutions exists, and hence $C^\bullet(G_K,\mathbb F_p)$ is not genuinely $A_3$-formal. The proof uses Chebotarev density, governing fields, and the Gras-Munnier criterion to obstruct the compatibility of finite-stage solutions, and it builds on previous work of Maire-Mináč-Ramakrishna-Tân. This shows that genuine $A_3$-formality detects a global compatibility obstruction for number fields invisible to every individual finite embedding problem and invisible to obstructions arising from individual strong Massey vanishing problems.