Subconvex equidistribution of cusp forms: reduction to Eisenstein observables

Abstract

Let $\pi$ traverse a sequence of cuspidal automorphic representations of GL(2) with large prime level, unramified central character and bounded infinity type. For G either of the groups GL(1) or PGL(2), let H(G) denote the assertion that subconvexity holds for G-twists of the adjoint $L$-function of $\pi$, with polynomial dependence upon the conductor of the twist. We show that H(GL(1)) implies H(PGL(2)). In geometric terms, H(PGL(2)) corresponds roughly to an instance of arithmetic quantum unique ergodicity with a power savings in the error term, H(GL(1)) to the special case in which the relevant sequence of measures is tested against an Eisenstein series.