Quadratic fields with a class group of large 3-rank

Abstract: We prove that there are >>X^{1/30}/(log X) imaginary quadratic number fields with an ideal class group of 3-rank at least 5 and discriminant bounded in absolute value by X. This improves on an earlier result of Craig, who proved the infinitude of imaginary quadratic fields with an ideal class group of 3-rank at least 4. The proofs rely on constructions of Mestre for j-invariant 0 elliptic curves of large Mordell-Weil rank, and a method of the first author and Gillibert for constructing torsion in ideal class groups of number fields from rational torsion in Jacobians of curves. We also consider analogous questions concerning rational 3-torsion in hyperelliptic Jacobians.