Linear independence of Gamma values in positive characteristic (Q4539574)

Let \(\mathbb F_{q}\) be a finite field with \(q\) elements, \(A=\mathbb F_{q}[X]\) the ring of polynomials on \(\mathbb F_{q}\) and \(A_{+}\) the set of monic polynomials. Thakur's Gamma function is \[ \Gamma(z)={1\over z}\prod_{n\in A_{+}}\left(1+{z\over n}\right)^{-1}. \] It is a meromorphic function on the completion of the algebraic closure \(\overline{k}\) of \(k=\mathbb F_{q}((1/X))\) for the absolute value for which \(|X|=1/q\). Previous work by \textit{D. Thakur} [Ann. Math. (2) 134, 25-94 (1991; Zbl 0734.11036)] and \textit{S. Sinha} [J. Number Theory 63, 65-88 (1997; Zbl 0932.11040)] established transcendence results for values of \(\Gamma\) at particular rational points \(r\in k\). The Anderson-Deligne-Thakur relations on Gamma values give multiplicative dependence relations among certain values \(\Gamma(r)\) with \(r\in k\) involving the fundamental period \(\widetilde\pi\) of the Carlitz module. These are conjectured to be the only algebraic dependence relations relating these numbers. The main result of the present paper is that all the \(\overline{k}\)-linear relations among these numbers are generated by the above mentioned ones. A number of noteworthy transcendence corollaries are given. They go much further than what is known in the classical case for the values of Euler's Gamma function -- see especially the paper by \textit{J. Wolfart} and \textit{G. Wüstholz} [Math. Ann. 273, 1-15 (1985; Zbl 0559.14023)]. The transcendence tool of the proof is \textit{Jing Yu}'s fundamental Theorem on analytic subgroups of Drinfeld modules [Ann. Math. (2) 145, 215-233 (1997; Zbl 0881.11055)]. In order to apply it, a careful study of \(t\)-modules is required, and the authors' contribution to this topic is of independent interest. They define and investigate \(t\)-modules of CM-type; they produce a criterion for the simplicity of such a \(t\)-module and another criterion for the existence of an isogeny between two such \(t\)-modules. Next they define biderivations for a \(t\)-module \(E\) and construct associated quasi-periodic extensions of \(E\). They prove an isogeny criterion for quasi-periodic extensions of CM type. In the classical setting of zero characteristic, all Beta values at rational points are interpreted as periods of abelian integrals on the Jacobian of the Fermat curve. For Drinfeld modules, using Anderson's notion of a soliton function (higher dimensional analogue of the shtuka function for rank \(1\) Drinfeld modules), Sinha associated to each \(f\in A_{+}\) a \(t\)-module \(E_{f}\) of CM type, the periods of which have coordinates which are algebraic multiples of \(\Gamma(a/f)\) with \(a\in A_+\), \(\deg a<\deg f\) and \((a,f)=1\). In order to remove the assumptions \(f\in A_{+}\) and \(a\in A_{+}\), the authors construct a quasi-periodic extension of \(E_{f}\). Also they determine all their sub-\(t\)-modules. A number of interesting examples conclude this important paper.