Minimal extensions of algebraic groups and linear independence (Q5950937)

The author defines a ``group for transcendence'', or \(t\)-group for short, as either a connected commutative algebraic group defined over the algebraic closure of the rational number field in zero characteristic, or else as a uniformizable \(t\)-module defined over the algebraic closure of a rational function field \(\mathbb F_{q}(t)\) with finite field of constants \(\mathbb F_{q}\) in positive characteristic. The latter case covers Drinfeld modules, quasi-periodic extensions of Drinfeld modules and Sinha's soliton \(t\)-modules. A minimal extension \(E\) of a \(t\)-group \(G\) is a surjective morphism \(\pi:E\rightarrow G\) of \(t\)-groups for which no proper sub \(t\)-group of \(E\) maps onto \(G\). The author points out that this concept is convenient for stating the generalizations of Baker's theorem on the linear independence of logarithms of algebraic points, due to \textit{G. Wüstholz} for algebraic groups in zero characteristic [Ann. Math. (2) 129, 501-517 (1989; Zbl 0675.10025)] and to \textit{Jing Yu} in positive characteristic [Ann. Math. (2) 145, 215-233 (1997; Zbl 0881.11055)]. He produces a number of examples including quasi-periodic extensions of Drinfeld modules, extensions of \(t\)-modules arising from divided derivatives and products of elliptic curves. He relates the notion of minimal extension with the concept of Frattini cover of \(G\), which is a surjective morphism \(\phi:E\rightarrow G\) such that the component of identity of \(\ker\phi\) is contained in all maximal connected proper sub \(t\)-groups of \(E\). Further applications of the results of this paper have been derived by the author and \textit{M. A. Papanikolas} [Linear independence of \(\Gamma\) values in positive characteristic, J. Reine Angew. Math. 549, 91-148 (2002; Zbl 1002.11051)].