Rational period functions and indefinite binary quadratic forms. I (Q1120615)

Eichler introduced \((2k-1)\)-fold integrals of modular forms of positive weight \(2k\). Under the action of the modular group, the transformation equation of these integrals contains a polynomial called a period polynomial by analogy with the abelian integral. Knopp then generalized the Eichler integral by introducing modular integrals whose period functions are now permitted to be rational functions. This paper begins the classification of the rational period functions of positive weight by looking at their potential pole sets. The main result is the following description of rational period functions of positive weight \(2k\) where \(k\) is an odd integer. If the potential pole set of the period function is minimal and exhibits algebraic symmetry, that is, if the poles occur in conjugate pairs, then all poles have order \(k\) and the rational period function is a sum of \((-k)\)th powers of primitive indefinite binary quadratic forms in a narrow equivalence class of quadratic forms.