A zero modular lemma. (Q1372596)

\textit{K. Barré-Sirieix}, \textit{G. Diaz}, \textit{F. Gramain} and \textit{G. Philibert} have proved in [Invent. Math. 124, 1-9 (1996; Zbl 0853.11059)] the transcendence of the values for the Fourier expansion at infinity of the invariant modular function \(J\) at any non-zero complex algebraic number of the unit disk. This groundbreaking work not only solved the long-standing conjecture of Mahler and Manin but opened new ways, as shown by the spectacular result of \textit{Yu. V. Nesterenko} [Sb. Math. 187, 1319-1348 (1996); translation from Mat. Sb. 187, 65-96 (1996; Zbl 0898.11031)], i.e., the algebraic independence of \(\pi\), \(e^\pi\) and \(\Gamma ({1\over 4})\). In particular, Nesterenko's proof involves a zero modular lemma, which is interesting to compare to the result obtained in the paper under review: indeed this paper gives a sharp estimate of the order in 0 of the Laurent formal power series \(F(T)= P(T,J(T))\), for a given non-zero polynomial \(P(X,Y) \in\mathbb{C} [X,Y]\). More precisely, it is proved that \[ \text{ord}_0 F(T)\leq 9 \deg_X (P) \deg_Y(P) +\textstyle{3 \over 2} \deg_Y(P)-\textstyle {1\over 2}. \] The proof is based on the construction of an auxiliary ``modular polynomial'' \(Q(X,Y)\) associated to the polynomial \(P(X,Y)\). The indeterminate \(Y\) is then eliminated between \(P\) and \(Q\) by the introduction of a resultant \(R(X)\). Puiseux series are used to conclude that the polynomial \(R\) is non-zero, and an upper-bound for the order in 0 of the series \(F(T)= P(T,J(T))\) can thus be deduced. This result, which takes a first step for the determination of a transcendence measure of \(J(q)\), is also used by \textit{K. Barré-Sirieix} in [C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. I 323, No. 5, 447-452 (1996; Zbl 0868.11032)], by giving an effective quantitative refinement of the result proved in [Barré-Sirieix et al., op. cit.]. For a recent account of the theory, the reader is referred to the impressive survey of \textit{M. Waldschmidt} [Séminaire Bourbaki, 49 ème année, 1996-97, Exp. No. 824, Astérisque 245, 105-140 (1997; Zbl 0908.11029)].