The \(p\)-adic sigma function (Q1814235)

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The \(p\)-adic sigma function
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    The \(p\)-adic sigma function (English)
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    25 June 1992
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    The authors construct a \(p\)-adic analog of the Weierstrass sigma function for complex elliptic curves. More precisely, they construct a single- valued function on the formal group \(E^ f\) of an elliptic curve \(E\) defined over the field of fractions \(K\) of a complete discrete valuation ring \(R\), whose residue field is of characteristic \(p>0\). As in the classical case, this sigma function is --- up to a constant --- uniquely defined by the elliptic curve \(E\). One of the main results of the paper (theorem 3.1) says that the \(p\)-adic sigma function enjoys, and is in fact characterized by, any one of several properties which are analogs of those of the classical Weierstrass sigma function. The whole construction is based on the assumption that the elliptic curve \(E\) is of ordinary reduction, i.e., over the algebraic closure of the residue field of \(R\), the formal group \(E^ f\) is isomorphic to the formal multiplicative group \(\mathbb{G}^ f_ m\). As for applications of the \(p\)-adic sigma function, the authors have already given some of them in two earlier papers, mainly with a view towards the theory of canonical heights for points on elliptic curves in characteristic \(p>0\) and \(p\)- adic analogs of the conjectures of Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer [cf. \textit{B. Mazur} and \textit{J. Tate} in Arithmetic and geometry, Pap. dedic. I. R. Shafarevich, Vol. I: Arithmetic, Progr. Math. 35, 195-237 (1983; Zbl 0574.14036); \textit{B. Mazur}, \textit{J. Tate} and \textit{J. Teitelbaum}, Invent. Math. 84, 1-48 (1986; Zbl 0699.14028)]. In this regard, the present paper provides the detailed construction of the \(p\)-adic sigma function, whose existence was already assumed (and, in fact, used) in a wider context. As the authors point out, there are many other approaches to construct \(p\)-adic sigma functions or, more generally, \(p\)-adic theta functions in the literature, according to the many different contexts and various purposes. The one given here is especially motivated by the connection with the theory of canonical heights.
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    p-adic analog of the Weierstrass sigma function
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    complex elliptic curves
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    formal group
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    canonical heights
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    characteristic p
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    p-adic theta functions
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