Relative Trace Formula, Periods and non-vanishing of L-values — Dinakar Ramakrishnan (Caltech)

Of fundamental importance in number theory is the question of non-vanishing of central L-values of L-functions. One approach, explained in the talk, is to make use of the Relative trace formula (which will be introduced); a basic example of interest involves twists of L-functions of modular forms. If time permits, we will explain the recent work with Michel and Yang on U(2)-twists of U(3) L-functions.