Abelian varieties over Q and modular forms

This paper gives a conjectural characterization of those elliptic curves over the field of complex numbers which "should" be covered by standard modular curves. The elliptic curves in question all have algebraic j-invariant, so they can be viewed as curves over Q-bar, the field of algebraic numbers. The condition that they satisfy is that they must be isogenous to all their Galois conjugates. Borrowing a term from B.H. Gross, "Arithmetic on elliptic curves with complex multiplication," we say that the elliptic curves in question are "Q-curves." Since all complex multiplication elliptic curves are Q-curves (with this definition), and since they are all uniformized by modular forms (Shimura), we consider only non-CM curves for the remainder of this abstract. We prove: 1. Let C be an elliptic curve over Q-bar. Then C is a Q-curve if and only if C is a Q-bar simple factor of an abelian variety A over Q whose algebra of Q-endomorphisms is a number field of degree dim(A). (We say that abelian varieties A/Q with this property are of "GL(2) type.") 2. Suppose that Serre's conjecture on mod p modular forms are correct (Ref: Duke Journal, 1987). Then an abelian variety A over Q is of GL(2)-type if and only if it is a simple factor (over Q) of the Jacobian J_1(N) for some integer N\ge1. (The abelian variety J_1(N) is the Jacobian of the standard modularComment: 19 pages, AMS-TeX 2.

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.Comment: 18 page

Modular curves and N\'eron models of generalized Jacobians

Let $X$ be a smooth geometrically connected projective curve over the field of fractions of a discrete valuation ring $R$, and $\mathfrak{m}$ a modulus on $X$, given by a closed subscheme of $X$ which is geometrically reduced. The generalized Jacobian $J_\mathfrak{m}$ of $X$ with respect to $\mathfrak{m}$ is then an extension of the Jacobian of $X$ by a torus. We describe its N\'eron model, together with the character and component groups of the special fibre, in terms of a regular model of $X$ over $R$. This generalizes Raynaud's well-known description for the usual Jacobian. We also give some computations for generalized Jacobians of modular curves $X_0(N)$ with moduli supported on the cusps.Comment: 36 pages, minor corrections and references added. Accepted version, to appear in Compositio Mat

Number Theory, Analysis and Geometry: In Memory of Serge Lang

Serge Lang was an iconic figure in mathematics, both for his own important work and for the indelible impact he left on the field of mathematics, on his students, and on his colleagues. Over the course of his career, Lang traversed a tremendous amount of mathematical ground. As he moved from subject to subject, he found analogies that led to important questions in such areas as number theory, arithmetic geometry and the theory of negatively curved spaces. Lang's conjectures will keep many mathematicians occupied far into the future. In the spirit of Lang’s vast contribution to mathematics, this memorial volume contains articles by prominent mathematicians in a variety of areas, namely number theory, analysis and geometry, representing Lang’s own breadth of interests. A special introduction by John Tate includes a brief and engaging account of Serge Lang’s life