The zeta functions of complexes from PGL(3): A representation-theoretic approach

The zeta function attached to a finite complex X _Γ arising from the Bruhat-Tits building for PGL₃(F) was studied in [KL], where a closed form expression was obtained by a combinatorial argument. This identity can be rephrased using operators on vertices, edges, and directed chambers of X _Γ. In this paper we re-establish the zeta identity from a different aspect by analyzing the eigenvalues of these operators using representation theory. As a byproduct, we obtain equivalent criteria for a Ramanujan complex in terms of the eigenvalues of the operators on vertices, edges, and directed chambers, respectively.