Algebraic numbers of small Weil's height in CM-fields: on a theorem of Schinzel (Q863970)

For an algebraic number \(\alpha\), let \(h(\alpha)\) denote the absolute logarithmic Weil height of \(\alpha\). The main theorem of the paper is the following: \textit{There exists an infinite sequence \((\alpha)_k\) of algebraic numbers such that the fields \({\mathbb Q}(\alpha_K)\) are CM-fields, \(a_k\) is not a root of unity, \(d_k:=[{\mathbb Q}(\alpha_k):{\mathbb Q}] \rightarrow \infty\) and \[ h(\alpha_k) \sim {\log(d_k)\over d_k}=o(1) \] as \(k\rightarrow \infty\)}. The paper motivates from the theorem of \textit{A. Schinzel} [``On the product of the conjugates outside the unit circle of an algebraic number'', Acta Arith. 24, 385--399 (1973; Zbl 0275.12004)] stating that there exists an absolute constant \(C\) such that for any algebraic number \(\alpha\) in a CM-field such that \(| \alpha| \neq 0,1\) one has \(h(\alpha)\geq C\), and from the paper of \textit{F. Amoroso} and \textit{R. Dvornicich} [``A lower bound for the height in abelian extensions,'' J. Number Theory 80, No. 2, 260--272 (2000; Zbl 0973.11092)], where it was proven that, if \(\alpha\) is neither 0 nor a root of unity and belongs to an \textit{abelian} extension of \({\mathbb Q}\), then \(h(\alpha)\geq C_1\) for a suitable absolute constant \(C_1\). The proof relies on elementary facts about reciprocal polynomials and on the use on an operator \(\delta\) introduced in \textit{F. Amoroso} [``Sur des polynômes de petites mesures de Mahler,'' C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. I 321, No. 1, 11--14 (1995; Zbl 0857.11007)]. The authors construct two families of polynomials having all their roots on the unit circle and with small leading coefficients. These polynomials have a non-monic irreducible factor of high degree, whose roots have small height and generate a CM-field.