The present work treats p-adic properties of solutions of the hypergeometric differential equation d2 d ~ ( x(l - x) dx + (c(l - x) + (c - 1 - a - b)x) dx - ab)y = 0, 2 with a, b, c in 4) n Zp, by constructing the associated Frobenius structure. For this construction we draw upon the methods of Alan Adolphson [1] in his 1976 work on Hecke polynomials. We are also indebted to him for the account (appearing as an appendix) of the relation between this differential equation and certain L-functions. We are indebted to G. Washnitzer for the method used in the construction of our dual theory (Chapter 2). These notes represent an expanded form of lectures given at the U. L. P. in Strasbourg during the fall term of 1980. We take this opportunity to thank Professor R. Girard and IRMA for their hospitality. Our subject-p-adic analysis-was founded by Marc Krasner. We take pleasure in dedicating this work to him. Contents 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . 1. The Space L (Algebraic Theory) 8 2. Dual Theory (Algebraic) 14 3. Transcendental Theory . . . . 33 4. Analytic Dual Theory. . . . . 48 5. Basic Properties of", Operator. 73 6. Calculation Modulo p of the Matrix of ~ f,h 92 7. Hasse Invariants . . . . . . 108 8. The a --+ a' Map . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 9. Normalized Solution Matrix. . . . . .. 113 10. Nilpotent Second-Order Linear Differential Equations with Fuchsian Singularities. . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 11. Second-Order Linear Differential Equations Modulo Powers ofp ..... .

A detailed and unified treatment of $P$-adic differential equations, from the basic principles to the current frontiers of research.

The present work treats p-adic properties of solutions of the hypergeometric differential equation d2 d ̃ ( x(l - x) dx + (c(l - x) + (c - 1 - a - b)x) dx - ab)y = 0, 2 with a, b, c in 4) n Zp, by constructing the associated Frobenius structure. For this construction we draw upon the methods of Alan Adolphson [1] in his 1976 work on Hecke polynomials. We are also indebted to him for the account (appearing as an appendix) of the relation between this differential equation and certain L-functions. We are indebted to G. Washnitzer for the method used in the construction of our dual theory (Chapter 2). These notes represent an expanded form of lectures given at the U. L. P. in Strasbourg during the fall term of 1980. We take this opportunity to thank Professor R. Girard and IRMA for their hospitality. Our subject-p-adic analysis-was founded by Marc Krasner. We take pleasure in dedicating this work to him. Contents 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . 1. The Space L (Algebraic Theory) 8 2. Dual Theory (Algebraic) 14 3. Transcendental Theory . . . . 33 4. Analytic Dual Theory. . . . . 48 5. Basic Properties of", Operator. 73 6. Calculation Modulo p of the Matrix of ̃ f,h 92 7. Hasse Invariants . . . . . . 108 8. The a --+ a' Map . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 9. Normalized Solution Matrix. . . . . .. 113 10. Nilpotent Second-Order Linear Differential Equations with Fuchsian Singularities. . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 11. Second-Order Linear Differential Equations Modulo Powers ofp ..... .

Over the last 50 years the theory of p-adic differential equations has grown into an active area of research in its own right, and has important applications to number theory and to computer science. This book, the first comprehensive and unified introduction to the subject, improves and simplifies existing results as well as including original material. Based on a course given by the author at MIT, this modern treatment is accessible to graduate students and researchers. Exercises are included at the end of each chapter to help the reader review the material, and the author also provides detailed references to the literature to aid further study.

Discovered at the turn of the 20th century, p-adic numbers are frequently used by mathematicians and physicists. This text is a self-contained presentation of basic p-adic analysis with a focus on analytic topics. It offers many features rarely treated in introductory p-adic texts such as topological models of p-adic spaces inside Euclidian space, a special case of Hazewinkel’s functional equation lemma, and a treatment of analytic elements.

There are numbers of all kinds: rational, real, complex, p-adic. The p-adic numbers are less well known than the others, but they play a fundamental role in number theory and in other parts of mathematics. This elementary introduction offers a broad understanding of p-adic numbers. From the reviews: "It is perhaps the most suitable text for beginners, and I shall definitely recommend it to anyone who asks me what a p-adic number is." --THE MATHEMATICAL GAZETTE