The theta-operator and the divisors of modular forms on genus zero subgroups (Q1429382)

From the text: If \(f(z)\) is a meromorphic function with period 1 on the upper half-plane \(H\) with Fourier expansion of the form \(f(z) =\sum^\infty_{n=h}a(n)q^n\) \((q := e^{2\pi iz})\), then we define the theta-operator by \( \theta f(z) :=\frac1 {2\pi i} \frac {d}{dz} f(z) =\sum^\infty_{n=h}a(n)q^n\). This operator plays a fundamental role in the theory of modular forms, modular forms modulo \(p\), and \(p\)-adic modular forms. In a recent paper [Compos. Math. 140, No. 3, 552--566 (2004; Zbl 1060.11019)], \textit{J. H. Bruinier}, \textit{W. Kohnen} and \textit{K. Ono} have studied the action of the theta operator on meromorphic modular forms on \(\text{SL}_2(\mathbb Z)\) in relation to the values of a certain sequence of modular functions at points \(\tau\) in the divisor of \(f\). Their description of this action leads to a number of consequences connected to the exponents in the infinite product expansions of modular forms, congruence properties and \(p\)-adic formulas for class numbers of imaginary quadratic fields, and recurrence relations for Fourier coefficients. Let \(E_2(z)\) denote the weight two Eisenstein series given by \(E_2(z) := 1-24 \sum^\infty_{n=1} \sum_{d|n} dq^n\). If \(f\) is a meromorphic modular form on \(\text{SL}_2(\mathbb Z)\), then it is well-known that there exists a meromorphic weight two modular form \(f_\theta\) with the property that (*) \(\theta f = \frac{kE_2f}{12}- ff_\theta\). Bruinier et al. showed that \(f_\theta\) can in fact be defined explicitly in terms of the values of a certain sequence of modular functions at points \(\tau\) in the divisor of \(f\). It is natural to investigate analogues of this work for modular forms on more general subgroups; here we consider the problem for groups \(\Gamma_0(p)\) with \(p\in \{2, 3, 5, 7, 13\}\). In particular, in analogy with (*), we are able to give an explicit formula for the action of the theta-operator on any modular form for these genus zero groups (see Theorem~2). As a consequence, we obtain formulas for the exponents of infinite product expansions and recurrence relations for Fourier coefficients of modular forms on these groups. We also remark that these results can be extended to forms with Nebentypus (by applying the stated results to an appropriate power of the form in question). The method of proof follows roughly that of Bruinier et al. (loc. cit.); for convenience we work with differentials on the Riemann surface \(X_0(p)\) instead of working directly with the relevant contour integrals. Adjustments must of course be made to handle the increased complexity of the fundamental domains \(\mathcal F_p\). Finally, we mention that two recent papers (see [\textit{J. R. Atkinson}, J. Number Theory 112, No. 1, 189--204 (2005; Zbl 1074.11024)], and \textit{Y. Choie} and \textit{W. Kohnen} [Abh. Math. Semin. Univ. Hamb. 73, 289--295 (2003; Zbl 1046.11022)]) consider similar problems with respect to certain other subgroups of \(\text{SL}_2(\mathbb R)\).