On Numbers which are Mahler Measures

We investigate which algebraic numbers can be Mahler measures. Adler and Marcus showed that these must be Perron numbers. We prove that certain integer multiples of every Perron number are Mahler measures. The results of Boyd give some necessary conditions on Perron number to be a measure. These do not include reciprocal algebraic integers, so it would be of interest to find one which is not a Mahler measure. We prove a result in this direction. Finally, we show that for every non-negative integer k there is a cubic algebraic integer having norm 2 such that precisely the kth iteration of its Mahler measure is an integer.     

Norms extremal with respect to the Mahler measure

In this paper, we introduce and study several norms which are constructed in order to satisfy an extremal property with respect to the Mahler measure. These norms are a natural generalization of the metric Mahler measure introduced by Dubickas and Smyth. We show that bounding these norms on a certain subspace implies Lehmer?s conjecture and in at least one case that the converse is true as well. We evaluate these norms on a class of algebraic numbers that include Pisot and Salem numbers, and for surds. We prove that the infimum in the construction is achieved in a certain finite dimensional space for all algebraic numbers in one case, and for surds in general, a finiteness result analogous to that of Samuels and Jankauskas for the t-metric Mahler measures.     

The Remak height for units

We investigate the values of the Remak height, which is a weighted product of the conjugates of an algebraic number. We prove that the ratio of logarithms of the Remak height and of the Mahler measure for units αof degree d is everywhere dense in the maximal interval [d/2(d-1),1] allowed for this ratio. To do this, a “large” set of totally positive Pisot units is constructed. We also give a lower bound on the Remak height for non-cyclotomic algebraic numbers in terms of their degrees. In passing, we prove some results about some algebraic numbers which are a product of two conjugates of a reciprocal algebraic number. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An ABC inequality for Mahler’s measure

We prove an upper bound for the Mahler measure of the Wronskian of a collection of N linearly independent polynomials with complex coefficients. If the coefficients of the polynomials are algebraic numbers we obtain an inequality for the absolute Weil heights of the roots of the polynomials. This later inequality is analogous to the abc inequality for polynomials, and also has applications to Diophantine problems.     

Multiplicative relations with conjugate algebraic numbers

We study what algebraic numbers can be represented by a product of algebraic numbers conjugate over a fixed number field K in fixed integer powers. The problem is nontrivial if the sum of these integer powers is equal to zero. The norm of such a number over K must be a root of unity. We show that there are infinitely many algebraic numbers whose norm over K is a root of unity and which cannot be represented by such a product. Conversely, every algebraic number can be expressed by every sufficiently long product in algebraic numbers conjugate over K. We also construct nonsymmetric algebraic numbers, i.e., algebraic numbers such that no elements of the corresponding Galois group acting on the full set of their conjugates form a Latin square. Published in Ukrains’kyi Matematychnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 59, No. 7, pp. 890–900, July, 2007.     

Ordinary reduction of K3 surfaces

Let X be a K3 surface over a number field K. We prove that there exists a finite algebraic field extension E/K such that X has ordinary reduction at every non-archimedean place of E outside a density zero set of places.      

Mahler measures in a field are dense modulo 1

Let K be a number field. We prove that the set of Mahler measures M(α), where α runs over every element of K, modulo 1 is everywhere dense in [0, 1], except when or , where D is a positive integer. In the proof, we use a certain sequence of shifted Pisot numbers (or complex Pisot numbers) in K and show that the corresponding sequence of their Mahler measures modulo 1 is uniformly distributed in [0, 1]. Received: 24 March 2006     

An <Emphasis Type="Italic">ABC</Emphasis> inequality for Mahler’s measure

We prove an upper bound for the Mahler measure of the Wronskian of a collection of N linearly independent polynomials with complex coefficients. If the coefficients of the polynomials are algebraic numbers we obtain an inequality for the absolute Weil heights of the roots of the polynomials. This later inequality is analogous to the abc inequality for polynomials, and also has applications to Diophantine problems. Research supported in part by the National Science Foundation (DMS-06-03282) and the Erwin Schr?dinger Institute. Author’s address: Department of Mathematics, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA     

Certain Diophantine Properties of the Mahler Measure

It is proved that a polynomial in several Mahler measures with positive rational coefficients is equal to an integer if and only if all these Mahler measures are integers. An estimate for the distance between a metric Mahler measure and an integer is obtained. Finally, it is proved that the ratio of two distinct Mahler measures of algebraic units is irrational.     

Counting exceptional points for rational numbers associated to the Fibonacci sequence

If \(\alpha \) is a non-zero algebraic number, we let \(m(\alpha )\) denote the Mahler measure of the minimal polynomial of \(\alpha \) over \(\mathbb Z\). A series of articles by Dubickas and Smyth, and later by the author, develop a modified version of the Mahler measure called the t-metric Mahler measure, denoted \(m_t(\alpha )\). For fixed \(\alpha \in \overline{\mathbb Q}\), the map \(t\mapsto m_t(\alpha )\) is continuous, and moreover, is infinitely differentiable at all but finitely many points, called exceptional points for \(\alpha \). It remains open to determine whether there is a sequence of elements \(\alpha _n\in \overline{\mathbb Q}\) such that the number of exceptional points for \(\alpha _n\) tends to \(\infty \) as \(n\rightarrow \infty \). We utilize a connection with the Fibonacci sequence to formulate a conjecture on the t-metric Mahler measures. If the conjecture is true, we prove that it is best possible and that it implies the existence of rational numbers with as many exceptional points as we like. Finally, with some computational assistance, we resolve various special cases of the conjecture that constitute improvements to earlier results.     

Algebraic Independence of Certain Generalized Mahler Type Numbers

In this paper the generalized Mahler type number Mh（g;A,T） is defined, and in the case of multiplicatively dependent parameters gi, hi（1 ≤ i ≤ s） the algebraic independence of the numbers Mhi （gi; A, T）（1 ≤ i ≤ s） is proved, where A and T are certain infinite sequences of non-negative integers and of positive integers, respectively. Furthermore, the algebraic independence result on values of a certain function connected with the generalized Mahler type number and its derivatives at algebraic numbers is also given.     

On the non-Archimedean metric Mahler measure

Recently, Dubickas and Smyth constructed and examined the metric Mahler measure and the metric naïve height on the multiplicative group of algebraic numbers. We give a non-Archimedean version of the metric Mahler measure, denoted M_∞, and prove that M_∞(α)=1 if and only if α is a root of unity. We further show that M_∞ defines a projective height on as a vector space over Q. Finally, we demonstrate how to compute M_∞(α) when α is a surd.     

*-Regular Leavitt path algebras of arbitrary graphs

If K is a field with involution and E an arbitrary graph, the involution from K naturally induces an involution of the Leavitt path algebra L _K (E). We show that the involution on L _K (E) is proper if the involution on K is positive-definite, even in the case when the graph E is not necessarily finite or row-finite. It has been shown that the Leavitt path algebra L _K (E) is regular if and only if E is acyclic. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for L _K (E) to be *-regular (i.e., regular with proper involution). This characterization of *-regularity of a Leavitt path algebra is given in terms of an algebraic property of K, not just a graph-theoretic property of E. This differs from the known characterizations of various other algebraic properties of a Leavitt path algebra in terms of graphtheoretic properties of E alone. As a corollary, we show that Handelman’s conjecture (stating that every *-regular ring is unit-regular) holds for Leavitt path algebras. Moreover, its generalized version for rings with local units also continues to hold for Leavitt path algebras over arbitrary graphs.     

Mahler型函数值的代数无关度量

利用初等的结式方法研究满足多项式形式的函数方程组的Mahler型函数的零点估计,给出了满足非线性函数方程组的Mahler型函数在代数点值的代效无关度量．     

Algebraicity of analytic maps to a hyperbolic variety

Let X be a complex algebraic variety. We say that X is Borel hyperbolic if, for every finite type reduced scheme S over the complex numbers, every holomorphic map from S to X is algebraic. We use a transcendental specialization technique to prove that X is Borel hyperbolic if and only if, for every smooth affine complex algebraic curve C, every holomorphic map from C to X is algebraic. We use the latter result to prove that Borel hyperbolicity shares many common features with other notions of hyperbolicity such as Kobayashi hyperbolicity.     

Principal bundles whose restriction to curves are trivial

Let k be an algebraically closed field and X a smooth projective variety defined over k. Let E_G be a principal G–bundle over X, where G is an algebraic group defined over k, with the property that for every smooth curve C in X the restriction of E_G to C is the trivial G–bundle. We prove that the principal G–bundle E_G over X is trivial. We also give examples of nontrivial principal bundle over a quasi-projective variety Y whose restriction to every smooth curve in Y is trivial.     

On the Trace of Algebraic Integers of Small Height

We give an upper bound for the modulus of the first non–zero trace among natural powers of an algebraic integer of small house. An upper bound for this power is obtained for the Pisot and Salem numbers. Although the house of these numbers is not at all small, similar bounds for the first non–zero trace are also established. Finally, we give an upper bound for the trace of an algebraic number with the Mahler measure bounded above by the square root of the degree.     

Various Forms of Generating Subsemigroups in Algebraic Monoids

Let M be an irreducible affine algebraic monoid over an algebraically closed field, G its unit group, and E(M) the set of idempotents of M. We study various forms of subsemigroup generating in affine algebraic monoids and relevant generating problems with kernel data. We determine the structure of minimal irreducible algebraic submonoids containing the kernel, in particular, of M = G ∪ ker(M). We also prove that M with a dense unit group is regular if and only if M = ? E(M), G ? and ? E(M) ? is regular.     

The parametrized family of metric Mahler measures

Let M(α) denote the (logarithmic) Mahler measure of the algebraic number α. Dubickas and Smyth, and later Fili and the author, examined metric versions of M. The author generalized these constructions in order to associate, to each point in t∈(0,∞], a metric version Mt of the Mahler measure, each having a triangle inequality of a different strength. We further examine the functions Mt, using them to present an equivalent form of Lehmer?s conjecture. We show that the function t?Mtt(α) is constructed piecewise from certain sums of exponential functions. We pose a conjecture that, if true, enables us to graph t?Mt(α) for rational α.     

Width of groups of type E<Subscript>6</Subscript> with respect to root elements. II

The simply connected and adjoint groups of type E₆ over fields are considered. Let K be a field such that every polynomial of degree at most 6 has a root in K. We prove that every element of the adjoint group of type E₆ over K can be written as a product of at most seven root elements. Bibliography: 59 titles.