Weber's class invariants revisited (Q1396451)

Let \(K\) be an imaginary quadratic field, \(\mathfrak O_t\) the order of conductor \(t\) in \(K\), and let \(\mathfrak a=\mathbb Z\alpha_1\oplus\mathbb Z\alpha_2\) be a full module in \(K\) having coefficient ring \(\mathfrak O_t\). Put \(\alpha=\alpha_1/\alpha_2\) and suppose that \(\Im(\alpha)>0\). Then \(j(\alpha)\) is called the modular invariant of \(\mathfrak a\). It is an algebraic integer which generates the ring class field \(\Omega_t\) modulo \(t\) over \(K\). The coefficients of \(\text{Irr}(j(\alpha),\mathbb Q)\) being quite large, Weber considered the Schläfli functions, and the functions \(\gamma_2=j^{\frac 13}\), \(\gamma_3=(j-12^3)^{\frac 12}\), in order to obtain simpler generators of \(\Omega_t\). The singular values of these functions played a crucial role in \textit{K. Heegner}'s solution [Math. Z. 56, 227-253 (1952; Zbl 0049.16202)] of the class number one problem, and they are also used in cryptography. The aim of the paper is to enunciate some known results about these numbers and to give short and easy proofs. The proofs rely on the reciprocity law of Shimura and the knowledge of the 24th root of unity appearing in the transformation formula of the Dedekind \(\eta\)-function.