Galois representation ($\rho :G_F\to \mathrm{GL}(V)$)

A Galois representation is a continuous group representation of an absolute Galois group, usually on a vector space or lattice over a local field. Examples include the cyclotomic character and the representations attached to modular forms. The coefficient topology is part of the definition.

A Galois character is a continuous one-dimensional Galois representation: the absolute Galois group acts by multiplication by a scalar in a coefficient field $F$. A quadratic character over a coefficient field of characteristic different from two has values in $\{1,-1\}$; after identifying this group with $\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$, its kernel fixes a quadratic extension, or the base field for the trivial character. Its restriction to an inertia group is trivial exactly when that extension is unramified at the corresponding place.

The cyclotomic character is defined by $g(\zeta )={\zeta }^{\kappa (g)}$ on compatible $p$-power roots of unity. On the full cyclotomic tower of $\mathbb{Q}$, it identifies the Galois group with ${\mathbb{Z}}_p^{\times }$. Its finite-order part is the Teichmüller character and its pro-$p$ part acts through $1+p{\mathbb{Z}}_p$, or $1+4{\mathbb{Z}}_2$.

The Tate twist $M(1)$ multiplies a Galois representation's action by the cyclotomic character. Here ${\mathbb{Z}}_p(1)$ is the inverse limit of $p$-power roots of unity under power maps. For a one-variable Iwasawa module, twisting changes characteristic power series by the corresponding change in the generator's action.