$K_1$-invariants in the mod $p$ cohomology of $U(3)$ arithmetic manifolds

Abstract

Let $F/F^+$ be a CM extension and $H_{/F^+}$ a definite unitary group in three variables that splits over $F$. We describe Hecke isotypic components of mod $p$ algebraic modular forms on $H$ at first principal congruence level at $p$ and "minimal" level away from $p$ in terms of the restrictions of the associated Galois representation to decomposition groups at $p$ when these restrictions are tame and sufficiently generic. This confirms an expectation of local-global compatibility in the mod $p$ Langlands program. To prove our result, we develop a local model theory for multitype deformation rings and new methods to work with patched modules that are not free over their scheme-theoretic support.