Rational period functions for the modular group and real quadratic fields (Q1112090)

Automorphic integrals with rational period functions, being generalizations of automorphic forms on the discrete subgroup of \(\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb R)\), share properties similar to those of forms. Examples are furnished by the Eichler integrals -- automorphic integrals of negative integer weight with polynomial period functions -- which have been the object of much attention in recent years. The question naturally arises whether there exist automorphic integrals with rational period functions which are not polynomial. M. I. Knopp constructed modular integrals of weight \(2k\) (\(k\) odd) which differ from Eichler integrals. It is shown that the poles of any rational period function, \(q_{T,2k}(z)\), for the modular group \(\Gamma(1)\) must lie in \(\mathbb Q(\sqrt{N})\), \(N\in {\mathbb Z}^+\). However, the only previously known quadratic fields containing poles of \(q_{t,2k}(z)\) for \(\Gamma(1)\) were \(\mathbb Q(\sqrt{5})\), \(\mathbb Q(\sqrt{3})\), and \(\mathbb Q(\sqrt{21})\), and these examples were known only for odd \(k\). The main object of this paper is the construction of \(q_{T,2k}(z)\) for \(\Gamma(1)\) with \(k\) any integer (even or odd), having poles in an arbitrary real quadratic field, \(\mathbb Q(\sqrt{N})\). We have developed two distinct new methods to achieve this goal. First, we have constructed \(q_{T,2k}(z)\) for \(\Gamma(1)\) by using the coset decomposition of \(\Gamma '(1)\), the commutator subgroup of \(\Gamma '(1)\). Since \(\Gamma '(1)\) is a free group, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a rational period function \(q_{T,2k}(z)\) of a modular integral on \(\Gamma(1)\) reduce to a single condition on rational period functions for \(\Gamma '(1)\). Then rational period functions of a modular integral on \(\Gamma(1)\) can be constructed by showing how to satisfy the above condition. This construction can be generalized to incorporate the class of Hecke groups. By use of an operator of \textit{J. Bogo} und \textit{W. Kuyk} [J. Algebra 43, 585--605 (1976; Zbl 0353.10019)], \(q_{T,2k}(z)\) for \(\Gamma(1)\) can be constructed from those on the Hecke groups for \(\lambda =\sqrt{2}\) and \(\sqrt{3}\). We also show how to get a rational function \(q_{T,2k}\) on \(\Gamma(1)\) by using this construction. The second method entails the use of Pell's equation to construct \(q_{T,2k}(z)\). This construction gives \(q_{T,2k}(z)\) for \(\Gamma(1)\) and any integer k with poles in an arbitrary real quadratic field. Also, we show that the collection \(\{q_{T,2k}\}_ N\) of rational period functions with poles in the real quadratic field \(\mathbb Q(\sqrt{N})\) is infinite dimensional over \(\mathbb C\). Since all of the examples that we have constructed are closely related to the negative \(k\)th power of the binary quadratic forms, we may expect to obtain interesting number theoretical results from rational period functions.