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 ..... .

The International Conference on p-adic Analysis is usually held every 3-4 years with the purpose of exchanging information at research level on new trends in the subject and of reporting on progress in central problems. This particular conference, held in Trento, Italy in May 1989, was dedicated to the memory of Philippe Robba, his important contributions to p-adic analysis and especially to the theory of p-adic differential equations. The conference was characterized by the discussion of numerous algebraic geometries. Rigid cohomology, D-modules and the action of Frobenius on the cohomology of curves and abelian varieties were the central themes of several contributions. A number of talks were devoted to exponential sums, a theme connecting p-adic analysis, algebraic geometry and number theory. Other themes were p-adic moduli spaces, non-Archimedean functional analysis, Barsotti-Tate groups and Drinfeld modules.

Written for advanced undergraduate and first-year graduate students, this book aims to introduce students to a serious level of "p"-adic analysis with important implications for number theory. The main object is the study of G-series, that is, power series y=aij=0 Ajxj with coefficients in an algebraic number field "K." These series satisfy a linear differential equation "Ly=0" with "LIK(x) d/dx]" and have non-zero radii of convergence for each imbedding of "K" into the complex numbers. They have the further property that the common denominators of the first s coefficients go to infinity geometrically with the index "s."

After presenting a review of valuation theory and elementary "p"-adic analysis together with an application to the congruence zeta function, this book offers a detailed study of the "p"-adic properties of formal power series solutions of linear differential equations. In particular, the "p"-adic radii of convergence and the "p"-adic growth of coefficients are studied. Recent work of Christol, Bombieri, Andre, and Dwork is treated and augmented. The book concludes with Chudnovsky's theorem: the analytic continuation of a "G "-series is again a "G "-series. This book will be indispensable for those wishing to study the work of Bombieri and Andre on global relations and for the study of the arithmetic properties of solutions of ordinary differential equations."