A Generalization of Graham's Estimate on the Barban-Vehov Problem

Abstract

Suppose $\{ \lambda_d\}$ are Selberg's sieve weights and $1 \le w < y \le x$. Graham's estimate on the Barban-Vehov problem shows that $\sum_{1 \le n \le x} (\sum_{d|n} \lambda_d)^2 = \frac{x}{\log(y/w)} + O(\frac{x}{\log^2(y/w)})$. We prove an analogue of this estimate for a sum over ideals of an arbitrary number field $k$. Our asymptotic estimate remains the same; the only difference is that the effective error term may depend on arithmetics of $k$. Our innovation involves multiple counting results on ideals instead of integers. Notably, some of the results are nontrivial generalizations. Furthermore, we prove a corollary that leads to a new zero density estimate.