Digital Library of Mathematical Functions
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21 Multidimensional Theta FunctionsProperties

§21.5 Modular Transformations

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§21.5(i) Riemann Theta Functions

Let \mathbf{A}, \mathbf{B}, \mathbf{C}, and \mathbf{D} be g\times g matrices with integer elements such that

21.5.1\boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}=\begin{bmatrix}\mathbf{A}&\mathbf{B}\\
\mathbf{C}&\mathbf{D}\end{bmatrix}

is a symplectic matrix, that is,

21.5.2\boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}\mathbf{J}_{{2g}}\boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}^{{\mathrm{T}}}=%
\mathbf{J}_{{2g}}.

Then

21.5.3\det\boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}=1,

and

Here \xi(\boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}) is an eighth root of unity, that is, (\xi(\boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}))^{8}=1. For general \boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}, it is difficult to decide which root needs to be used. The choice depends on \boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}, but is independent of \mathbf{z} and \boldsymbol{{\Omega}}. Equation (21.5.4) is the modular transformation property for Riemann theta functions.

The modular transformations form a group under the composition of such transformations, the modular group, which is generated by simpler transformations, for which \xi(\boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}) is determinate:

(\mathbf{A} invertible with integer elements.)

(\mathbf{B} symmetric with integer elements and even diagonal elements.)

(\mathbf{B} symmetric with integer elements.) See Heil (1995, p. 24).

where the square root assumes its principal value.

§21.5(ii) Riemann Theta Functions with Characteristics

where \kappa(\boldsymbol{{\alpha}},\boldsymbol{{\beta}},\boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}) is a complex number that depends on \boldsymbol{{\alpha}}, \boldsymbol{{\beta}}, and \boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}. However, \kappa(\boldsymbol{{\alpha}},\boldsymbol{{\beta}},\boldsymbol{{\Gamma}}) is independent of \mathbf{z} and \boldsymbol{{\Omega}}. For explicit results in the case g=1, see §20.7(viii).