Distribution of prime ideals of higher residue degree across ideal classes in the class groups

Abstract

In this article we investigate the distribution of prime ideals of residue degree bigger than one across the ideal classes in the class group of a number field $L$. A criterion for the class group of $L$ being generated by the classes of prime ideals of residue degree $f>1$ is provided. Further, some consequences of this study on the solvability of norm equations for $L/\mathbb{Q}$ and on the problem of finding annihilators for relative extensions are discussed.