On the $\ell$-adic Fourier transform and the determinant of the middle convolution

Abstract: We study the relation of the middle convolution to the $\ell$-adic Fourier transformation in the \'etale context. Using Katz' work and Laumon's theory of local Fourier transformations we obtain a detailed description of the local monodromy and the determinant of Katz' middle convolution functor $\MC_\chi$ in the tame case. The theory of local $\epsilon$-constants then implies that the property of an \'etale sheaf of having an at most quadratic determinant is often preserved under $\MC_\chi$ if $\chi$ is quadratic.