Local analytic classification of \(q\)-difference equations with \(|q| = 1\) (Q960534)

Special functions originating in \(q\)-calculus have received attention in various fields from physics to number theory, and their study through the functional equations they satisfy (the so-called \(q\)-difference equations) has enjoyed a strong revival in the last decade. The complex analytic theory (resolution, classification, Galois theory) has been developped only for \(|q| \neq 1\) (one assumes from start that \(q \neq 0\)). A notable exception consists in the index theorems obtained by \textit{J.-P. Bezivin} [Aequationes Math. 43, No.~2--3, 159--176 (1992; Zbl 0757.39002)]. The local classification for \(|q| \neq 1\) involves two main situations, defined in a way similar to the case of differential equations. In the fuchsian case, the formal and analytic classification are essentially the same and a complete collection of transcendental invariants was known to \textit{C. D. Birkhoff} and \textit{P. E. Guenther} [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 27, 218--222 (1941; Zbl 0061.20002)]. In the irregular case, a Stokes phenomenon was defined by \textit{J. P. Ramis, J. Sauloy} and \textit{C. Zhang} [C. R. Math. Acad. Sci. Paris 338, No.~4, 277--280 (2004; Zbl 1038.39011)]: it measures to what extent the formal and analytic classification differ. Equations with \(|q| = 1\) (usually \(q\) not a root of unity) have been of special interest for non-commutative geometers. In particular, \textit{Yu. I. Manin}'s \textit{Alterstraum} [The legacy of Niels Henrik Abel, 685--727 (2004; Zbl 1091.11022)], i.e. his program for the study of Real Multiplication, involves the understanding of the ``degenerated elliptic curve'' \(\mathbb{C}/q^{\mathbb{Z}}\) through various geometric objects defined above it. Until recently, the results were of an algebraic nature. The paper under review is the first significant breakthrough towards an analytic theory of \(q\)-difference equations with \(|q| = 1\). The author shows that the formal and analytic classifications coincide for a much larger category than the fuchsian one. She characterizes through precise diophantine conditions involving \(q\) the objects of that category (``almost admissible modules''). She then provides complete structure theorems for them. These strong results give good hope for the understanding of degeneracy properties of \(q\)-difference equations when \(|q|\) tends to the unit circle. This kind of confluency behaviour has been studied when \(q\) tends to \(1\) by the reviewer (fuchsian case) and by the author and her coauthor C. Zhang (irregular case), but nothing is known for a general point of the circle, which is of utmost interest. Also note that no hint is given in the paper of what should be the Stokes phenomenon when \(|q| = 1\), which remains an open question.