If we fix an integer a not equal to -1 and which is not a perfect square, we are interested in estimating the quantity N_{a}(x) representing the number of prime integers p up to x such that a is a generator of the cyclic group (Z/pZ)*. We will first show how to obtain an aymptotic formula for N_{a}(x) under the assumption of the generalized Riemann hypothesis. We then investigate the average behaviour of N_{a}(x) and we provide an unconditional result. Finally, we discuss how to generalize the problem over (Z/mZ)*, where m > 0 is not necessarily a prime integer. We present an average result in this setting and prove the existence of oscillation.

If we fix an integer a not equal to -1 and which is not a perfect square, we are interested in estimating the quantity N_{a}(x) representing the number of prime integers p up to x such that a is a generator of the cyclic group (Z/pZ)*. We will first show how to obtain an aymptotic formula for N_{a}(x) under the assumption of the generalized Riemann hypothesis. We then investigate the average behaviour of N_{a}(x) and we provide an unconditional result. Finally, we discuss how to generalize the problem over (Z/mZ)*, where m > 0 is not necessarily a prime integer. We present an average result in this setting and prove the existence of oscillation.

In this thesis, I have explored the different approaches towards proving Artin's `primitive root' conjecture unconditionally and the elliptic curve analogue of the same. This conjecture was posed by E. Artin in the year 1927, and it still remains an open problem. In 1967, C. Hooley proved the conjecture based on the assumption of the generalized Riemann hypothesis. Thereafter, the mathematicians tried to get rid of the assumption and it seemed quite a daunting task. In 1983, the pioneering attempt was made by R. Gupta and M. Ram Murty, who proved unconditionally that there exists a specific set of 13 distinct numbers such that for at least one of them, the conjecture is true. Along the same line, using sieve theory, D. R. Heath-Brown reduced this set down to 3 distinct primes in the year 1986. This is the best unconditional result we have so far. In the first part of this thesis, we will review the sieve theoretic approach taken by Gupta-Murty and Heath-Brown. The second half of the thesis will deal with the elliptic curve analogue of the Artin's conjecture, which is also known as the Lang-Trotter conjecture. Lang and Trotter proposed the elliptic curve analogue in 1977, including the higher rank version, and also proceeded to set up the mathematical formulation to prove the same. The analogue conjecture was proved by Gupta and Murty in the year 1986, assuming the generalized Riemann hypothesis, for curves with complex multiplication. They also proved the higher rank version of the same. We will discuss their proof in details, involving the sieve theoretic approach in the elliptic curve setup. Finally, I will conclude the thesis with a refinement proposed by Gupta and Murty to find out a finite set of points on the curve such that at least one satisfies the conjecture.

In this thesis, I have explored the different approaches towards proving Artin's `primitive root' conjecture unconditionally and the elliptic curve analogue of the same. This conjecture was posed by E. Artin in the year 1927, and it still remains an open problem. In 1967, C. Hooley proved the conjecture based on the assumption of the generalized Riemann hypothesis. Thereafter, the mathematicians tried to get rid of the assumption and it seemed quite a daunting task. In 1983, the pioneering attempt was made by R. Gupta and M. Ram Murty, who proved unconditionally that there exists a specific set of 13 distinct numbers such that for at least one of them, the conjecture is true. Along the same line, using sieve theory, D. R. Heath-Brown reduced this set down to 3 distinct primes in the year 1986. This is the best unconditional result we have so far. In the first part of this thesis, we will review the sieve theoretic approach taken by Gupta-Murty and Heath-Brown. The second half of the thesis will deal with the elliptic curve analogue of the Artin's conjecture, which is also known as the Lang-Trotter conjecture. Lang and Trotter proposed the elliptic curve analogue in 1977, including the higher rank version, and also proceeded to set up the mathematical formulation to prove the same. The analogue conjecture was proved by Gupta and Murty in the year 1986, assuming the generalized Riemann hypothesis, for curves with complex multiplication. They also proved the higher rank version of the same. We will discuss their proof in details, involving the sieve theoretic approach in the elliptic curve setup. Finally, I will conclude the thesis with a refinement proposed by Gupta and Murty to find out a finite set of points on the curve such that at least one satisfies the conjecture.

Artins Vermutung über Primitivwurzeln besagt, dass es zu jeder ganzen Zahl a, die weder 0, ±1 noch eine Quadratzahl ist, unendlich viele Primzahlen p gibt, sodass a eine Primitivwurzel modulo p ist, d.h. a erzeugt eine multiplikative Untergruppe von Q*, dessen Reduktion modulo p Index 1 in (Z/pZ)* hat. Dies wirft die Frage nach Verteilung von Index und Ordnung dieser Reduktion in (Z/pZ)* auf, wenn man p variiert. Diese Arbeit widmet sich verallgemeinerten Fragestellungen in Zahlkörpern: Ist K ein Zahlkörper und Gamma eine endlich erzeugte unendliche Untergruppe von K*, so werden Momente von Index und Ordnung der Reduktion von Gamma sowohl modulo bestimmter Familien von Primidealen von K als auch modulo aller Ideale von K untersucht. Ist Gamma die Gruppe der Einheiten von K, so steht diese Fragestellung in engem Zusammenhang mit der Ramanujan Vermutung in Zahlkörpern. Des Weiteren werden analoge Probleme für rationale elliptische Kurven E betrachtet: Bezeichnet Gamma die von einem rationalen Punkt von E erzeugte Gruppe, so wird untersucht, wie sich Index und Ordnung der Reduktion von Gamma modulo Primzahlen verhalten. Teilweise unter Voraussetzung gängiger zahlentheoretischer Vermutungen werden jeweils asymptotische Formeln in manchen Fällen bewiesen und generelle Schwierigkeiten geschildert, die solche in anderen Fällen verhindern. Darüber hinaus wird eine weitere verwandte Fragestellung betrachtet und bewiesen, dass zu jeder hinreichend großen Primzahl p stets eine Primitivwurzel modulo p existiert, die sich als Summe von zwei Quadraten darstellen lässt und nach oben im Wesentlichen durch die Quadratwurzel von p beschränkt ist.

Submitted by Viviane Lima da Cunha (viviane@biblioteca.ufpb.br) on 2015-05-19T15:20:50Z No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivototal.pdf: 1103922 bytes, checksum: fee5e8830b60905917fc3ab1fb8c2aae (MD5) license_rdf: 22190 bytes, checksum: 19e8a2b57ef43c09f4d7071d2153c97d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Viviane Lima da Cunha (viviane@biblioteca.ufpb.br) on 2015-05-19T15:21:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivototal.pdf: 1103922 bytes, checksum: fee5e8830b60905917fc3ab1fb8c2aae (MD5) license_rdf: 22190 bytes, checksum: 19e8a2b57ef43c09f4d7071d2153c97d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-19T15:21:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivototal.pdf: 1103922 bytes, checksum: fee5e8830b60905917fc3ab1fb8c2aae (MD5) license_rdf: 22190 bytes, checksum: 19e8a2b57ef43c09f4d7071d2153c97d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-13 / The encryption algorithm written by Egyptian Taher ElGamal computes discrete logarithms with elements of a finite group G Cyclical. These elements have properties that during the study Chapter 1. Knowing the definitions and some properties studied, we can define and compute discrete logarithms, using knowledge of arithmetic and congruence of Remains and Theorem Remainder of Chinese. We will study public key algorithms, in particular the algorithm written by ElGamal, seeking to understand the diffculties presented by it and show its applications in the field of cryptography. We present a sequence of activities, aimed at students of the first grade of high school, targeting the learning of some subjects covered at work. / O algoritmo de criptografia escrito pelo egípcio Taher ElGamal calcula logaritmos discretos com elementos de um Grupo Cíclico finito G. Esses elementos possuem propriedades que estudaremos no decorrer do capítulo 1. Conhecendo as definições e algumas propriedades estudadas, poderemos definir e calcular logaritmos discretos, utilizando conhecimentos da Aritmética dos Restos e Congruências, bem como o Teorema Chinês dos Restos. Vamos estudar algoritmos de chave pública, em particular o algoritmo escrito por ElGamal, buscando entender as dificuldades apresentadas por ele e mostrar suas aplicações no campo da Criptografia. Apresentaremos uma sequencia de atividades, voltadas para estudantes do primeiro ano do Ensino Médio, visando o aprendizado de alguns assuntos abordados no trabalho.

This work focuses on the issue of acoustic diffusers. The introductory chapter describes the necessary theory of the sound distribution through enclosed space. Acoustic fields are also described. A description of the different diffusion element types and theirs design methods follows. It focuses mainly on design, which uses pseudo-random mathematical sequences. The aim of the work is to produce several types of acoustic diffusors and to verify their diffusion properties by means of measurements. The work uses the AFMG Reflex to simulate the diffusion properties of the proposed elements. Further, the thesis contains a description of the diffusion properties measurement process by the boundary plane method and the process of evaluating the measured data using the Matlab program.