Transcendence and modular functions (Q1809040)

This is a survey paper on recent transcendence results concerning the values of modular functions. The two main recent achievements are the following. First, a solution of the Mahler-Manin conjecture [\textit{K. Barre-Sirieix, G. Diaz, F. Gramain} and \textit{G. Philibert}, Invent. Math. 124, 1-9 (1996; Zbl 0853.11059)]: let \(q\) be either a complex number or else a \(p\)-adic number (\(q\in\mathbb C_{p}\), with \(p\) a prime number). Assume \(0<|q|<1\). Denote by \(J\) the modular function. Then \(q\) and \(J(q)\) are not both algebraic numbers. Next is \textit{Yu. V. Nesterenko}'s result [Sb. Math. 187, No. 9, 1319-1348 (1996); translation from Mat. Sb. 187, No. 9, 65-96 (1996; Zbl 0898.11031)]: if \(E_{2}\), \(E_{4}\), \(E_{6}\) denote the Eisenstein series, then for \(0<|q|<1\) the field generated over \(\mathbb Q\) by the four numbers \(q\), \(E_{2}(q)\), \(E_{4}(q)\), \(E_{6}(q)\) has transcendence degree at least \(3\). Finally a short appendix includes quite interesting comments. The author introduces Mahler's method, dealing as an example with the function \(f(z)=\sum_{n\geq 0} z^{d^{n}}\) (where \(d\geq 2\) is a rational integer). He explains why it does not work when \(f(z)\) is replaced by \(zJ(z)\), and how he was able with his coauthors to modify it and reach their result.