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Matthew Baker

Publications and source records attributed to Matthew Baker.

68 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
arXiv2006

A finiteness theorem for canonical heights attached to rational maps over function fields

Let K be a function field, let f be a rational function of degree d at least 2 defined over K, and suppose that f is not isotrivial. In this paper, we show that a point P in P^1(Kbar) has f-canonical height zero if and only if P is preperiodic for f. This answers affirmatively a question of Szpiro and Tucker, and generalizes a recent result of Benedetto from polynomials to rational functions. We actually prove the following stronger result, which is a variant of the Northcott finiteness principle: there exists epsilon > 0 such that the set of points P in P^1(K) with f-canonical height at most epsilon is finite. Our proof is essentially analytic, making use of potential theory on Berkovich spaces to prove some new results about the dynamical Green's functions g_v(x,y) attached to f at each place v of K. For example, we show that every conjugate of f has bad reduction at v if and only if g_v(x,x) > 0 for all x in the Berkovich projective line over the completion of the algebraic closure of K_v. In an appendix, we show how a similar method can be used to give a new proof of the Mordell-Weil theorem for elliptic curves over K.

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arXiv2005

A finiteness property of torsion points

Let k be a number field, let E/k be an elliptic curve, and let S be a finite set of places of k contianing the archimedean places. Let F be an algebraic closure of k. We prove that if a point P in E(F) is nontorsion, then there are only finitely many torsion points x in E(F) which are S-integral with respect to P. We also prove an analogue of this for the multiplicative group, and formulate conjectural generalizations for abelian varieties and dynamical systems.

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arXiv2005

Equidistribution of small points, rational dynamics, and potential theory

If phi(z) is a rational function on P^1 of degree at least 2 with coefficients in a number field k, we compute the homogeneous transfinite diameter of the v-adic filled Julia sets of phi for all places v of k by introducing a new quantity called the homogeneous sectional capacity. In particular, we show that the product over all places of these homogeneous transfinite diameters is 1. We apply this product formula and some new potential-theoretic results concerning Green's functions on Riemann surfaces and Berkovich spaces to prove an adelic equidistribution theorem for dynamical systems on the projective line. This theorem, which generalizes the results of Baker-Hsia, says that for each place v of k, there is a canonical probability measure on the Berkovich space P^1_{Berk,v} over C_v such that if z_n is a sequence of algebraic points in P^1 whose canonical heights with respect to phi tend to zero, then the z_n's and their Galois conjugates are equidistributed with respect to mu_{phi,v} for all places v of k. For archimedean v, P^1_{Berk,v} is just the Riemann sphere, mu_{phi,v} is Lyubich's invariant measure, and our result is closely related to a theorem of Lyubich and Freire-Lopes-Mane.

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arXiv2005

Global discrepancy and small points on elliptic curves

Let E be an elliptic curve defined over a number field k. In this paper, we define the ``global discrepancy'' of a finite set Z of algebraic points on E which in a precise sense measures how far the set is from being adelically equidistributed. We then prove an upper bound for the global discrepancy of Z in terms of the average canonical height of points in Z. We deduce from this inequality a number of consequences. For example, we give a new and simple proof of the Szpiro-Ullmo-Zhang equidistribution theorem for elliptic curves. We also prove a non-archimedean version of the Szpiro-Ullmo-Zhang theorem which takes place on the Berkovich analytic space associated to E. We then prove some quantitative `non-equidistribution' theorems for totally real or totally p-adic small points. The results for totally real points imply similar bounds for points defined over the maximal cyclotomic extension of a totally real field.

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arXiv2005

Metrized graphs, electrical networks, and Fourier analysis

A metrized graph is a finite weighted graph whose edges are thought of as line segments. In this expository paper, we study the Laplacian operator on a metrized graph and some important functions related to it, including the ``j-function'', the effective resistance, and eigenfunctions of the Laplacian. We discuss the relationship between metrized graphs and electrical networks, which provides some physical intuition for the concepts being dealt with. We also discuss the relation between the Laplacian on a metrized graph and the combinatorial Laplacian matrix. We introduce the``canonical measure'' on a metrized graph, which arises naturally when considering the Laplacian of the effective resistance function. Finally, we discuss a generalization of classical Fourier analysis which utilizes eigenfunctions of the Laplacian on a metrized graph. During the course of the paper, we obtain a proof of Foster's network theorem and of an intriguing series identity.

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arXiv2004

Analysis and dynamics on the Berkovich projective line

This is a set of expanded lecture notes from the Berkovich Space seminar held at the University of Georgia during Spring, 2004. The purpose of the notes is to provide a non-technical introduction to Berkovich spaces, and to develop the foundations for analysis on the Berkovich projective line, with a view toward applications in dynamics. After describing the underlying topological space and the sheaf of functions on the Berkovich line, we introduce the Hsia kernel, the fundamental kernel for potential theory. We develop a theory of capacities, define a Laplacian operator, and construct a theory of harmonic functions. We then develop the theory of subharmonic functions and give applications to dynamics, including a construction of the Lyubich measure attached to a rational function.

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arXiv2004

Canonical Heights, Transfinite Diameters, and Polynomial Dynamics

Let phi(z) be a polynomial of degree at least 2 with coefficients in a number field K. Iterating phi gives rise to a dynamical system and a corresponding canonical height function, as defined by Call and Silverman. We prove a simple product formula relating the transfinite diameters of the filled Julia sets of phi over various completions of K, and we apply this formula to give a generalization of Bilu's equidistribution theorem for sequences of points whose canonical heights tend to zero.

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arXiv2004

A Lower Bound for the Canonical Height on Abelian Varieties over Abelian Extensions

Let A be an abelian variety defined over a number field K, and consider the canonical height function attached to a symmetric ample line bundle L on A. We prove that there is a positive lower bound C (depending on A, K, and L) for the canonical height of non-torsion points on A defined over the maximal abelian extension K^ab of K.

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arXiv2003

Finiteness results for modular curves of genus at least 2

A curve X over the field Q of rational numbers is modular if it is dominated by X_1(N) for some N; if in addition the image of its jacobian in J_1(N) is contained in the new subvariety of J_1(N), then X is called a new modular curve. We prove that for each integer g at least 2, the set of new modular curves over Q of genus g is finite and computable. For the computability result, we prove an algorithmic version of the de Franchis-Severi Theorem. Similar finiteness results are proved for new modular curves of bounded gonality, for new modular curves whose jacobian is a quotient of the new part of J_0(N) with N divisible by a prescribed prime, and for modular curves (new or not) with levels in a restricted set. We study new modular hyperelliptic curves in detail. In particular, we find all new modular curves of genus 2 explicitly, and construct what might be the complete list of all new modular hyperelliptic curves of all genera. Finally we prove that for each field k of characteristic zero and each integer g at least 2, the set of genus g curves over k dominated by a Fermat curve is finite and computable.

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arXiv2002

Lower bounds for the canonical height on elliptic curves over abelian extensions

Let K be a number field and let E/K be an elliptic curve. If E has complex multiplication, we show that there is a positive lower bound for the canonical height of non-torsion points on E defined over the maximal abelian extension K^ab of K. This is analogous to results of Amoroso-Dvornicich and Amoroso-Zannier for the multiplicative group. We also show that if E has non-integral j-invariant (so that in particular E does not have complex multiplication), then there exists C > 0 such that there are only finitely many points P in E(K^ab) of canonical height less than C. This strengthens a result of Hindry and Silverman.

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arXiv2002

Galois theory and torsion points on curves

In this paper, we survey some Galois-theoretic techniques for studying torsion points on curves. In particular, we give new proofs of some results of A. Tamagawa and the present authors for studying torsion points on curves with "ordinary good" or "ordinary semistable" reduction at a given prime. We also give new proofs of: (1) The Manin-Mumford conjecture: There are only finitely many torsion points lying on a curve of genus at least 2 embedded in its Jacobian by an Albanese map; and (2) The Coleman-Kaskel-Ribet conjecture: If p is a prime number which is at least 23, then the only torsion points lying on the curve X_0(p), embedded in its Jacobian by a cuspidal embedding, are the cusps (together with the hyperelliptic branch points when X_0(p) is hyperelliptic and p is not 37). In an effort to make the exposition as useful as possible, we provide references for all of the facts about modular curves which are needed for our discussion.

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