Hypergeometric integrals modulo \(p\) and Hasse-Witt matrices (Q823820)

The authors consider the KZ differential equations over \(\mathbb{C}\) in the case, when the hypergeometric solutions are one-dimensional integrals. They also consider the same differential equations over a finite field \(\mathbb{F}_p\) with a prime number \(p\). They study the space of polynomial solutions of these differential equations over \(\mathbb{F}_p\), constructed in a previous work by the second author and \textit{V. Schechtman} [Ramanujan J. 48, No. 3, 655--683 (2019; Zbl 1416.81080)]. Using Hasse-Witt matrices, they identify the space of these polynomial solutions over \(\mathbb{F}_p\) with the space dual to a certain subspace of regular differentials on an associated curve. They also relate these polynomial solutions over \(\mathbb{F}_p\) and the hypergeometric solutions over \(\mathbb{C}\). This paper is organized as follows. The first Section is an introduction to the subject and statement of the main result. In Section 2, the authors describe the differential KZ equations considered in this paper. They construct the hypergeometric solutions of these equations over \(\mathbb{C}\) and the \(\mathbb{F}_p\)-hypergeometric solutions. In Section 3, they define the module of \(\mathbb{F}_p\)-hypergeometric solutions, show that it is free, and calculate the rank of the module. They also describe the fusion procedure for modules of \(\mathbb{F}_p\)-hypergeometric solutions. In Secion 4, the authors prove a generalization of the classical Lucas theorem, which allows them to reduce modulo \(p\) the coefficient of the Taylor expansion of the distinguished solution. In Section 5, they discuss different bases in the module of \(\mathbb{F}_p\)-hypergeometric solutions. One of the bases naturally appears in the defining construction of \(\mathbb{F}_p\)-hypergeometric solutions and the other is convenient to relate the \(\mathbb{F}_p\)-hypergeometric solutions to the Taylor expansion of the distinguished solution. In Sections 6 and 7, the authors study the Cartier map related to their \(\mathbb{F}_p\)-hypergeometric solutions and prove their first main result. In Section 8, they change variables in the Hasse-Witt matrix preparing it for application to the study of the distinguished solution. In Section 9, they compare the reduced Taylor series of the distinguished solution and \(\mathbb{F}_p\)-hypergeometric solutions.