Algorithms for $p$-adic Heights on Hyperelliptic Curves of Arbitrary Reduction

Abstract

In this paper, we develop an algorithm for computing Coleman--Gross (and hence Nekov\'a\v{r}) $p$-adic heights on hyperelliptic curves over number fields with arbitrary reduction type above $p$. This height is defined as a sum of local heights at each finite place and we use algorithms for Vologodsky integrals, developed by Katz and the second-named author, to compute the local heights above $p$. We also discuss an alternative method to compute these for odd degree genus 2 curves via $p$-adic sigma functions, via work of the first-named author. For both approaches one needs to choose a splitting of the Hodge filtration. A canonical choice for this is due to Blakestad in the case of an odd degree curve of genus $2$ that has semistable ordinary reduction at $p$. We provide an algorithm to compute Blakestad's splitting, which is conjecturally the unit root splitting for the action of Frobenius. We give several numerical examples, including the first worked quadratic Chabauty example in the literature for a curve with bad reduction.