Evaluating Characteristic Functions of Character Sheaves at Unipotent Elements

Abstract: Assume $\mathbf{G}$ is a connected reductive algebraic group defined over an algebraic closure $\mathbb{K} = \overline{\mathbb{F}}_p$ of the finite field of prime order $p>0$. Furthermore, assume that $F : \mathbf{G} \to \mathbf{G}$ is a Frobenius endomorphism of $\mathbf{G}$. In this article we give a formula for the value of any $F$-stable character sheaf of $\mathbf{G}$ at a unipotent element. This formula is expressed in terms of class functions of $\mathbf{G}^F$ which are supported on a single unipotent class of $\mathbf{G}$. In general these functions are not determined, however we give an expression for these functions under the assumption that $Z(\mathbf{G})$ is connected, $\mathbf{G}/Z(\mathbf{G})$ is simple and $p$ is a good prime for $\mathbf{G}$. In this case our formula is completely explicit.