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For a newform of weight $k\ge 2$, level $M$ and trivial Dirichlet character, the bad-prime Hecke operator $U_p$ has the displayed possibilities. The local trace relation on the new subspace of cusp forms gives $U_p=-p^{k/2-1}{W}_p$ when $p\parallel M$, where the normalized local Atkin-Lehner operator squares to one; if $p^2\mid M$, the new-vector relation gives $U_p=0$. In particular $|a_p|<p^{k/2}$, a strict inequality useful for proving irreducibility of old blocks.

For a rational matrix $\gamma$ of positive determinant, use the positive real power of $\det \gamma$ in the displayed slash operator for modular forms. It satisfies $(f{|}_k\gamma ){|}_k\eta =f{|}_k(\gamma \eta )$ by the automorphy factor identity and multiplicativity of the determinant. It agrees with the usual operator on the modular group. The determinant factor is essential for the stated normalization of the Hecke operators.

For a group $G$ and subgroup $\Gamma$ such that every double coset has finitely many orbits under left multiplication by $\Gamma$, this algebra consists of complex $\Gamma$-bi-invariant functions on $G$ supported on finitely many double cosets. Its convolution isThe double coset indicator functions form a basis. On invariant modular functions it acts on the right by $f\ast h={\sum }_{\Gamma x}h(x)f{|}_{k}x$. For $G=G{L}_2(\mathbb{Q}{)}^{+}$ and $\Gamma =S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$, rational conjugation of finite-index modular subgroups verifies the finiteness condition. The determinant-$n$ Hecke operator uses the indicator of all integral determinant-$n$ matrices, not only a single double coset when $n$ is composite.

A Hecke eigenform is a nonzero modular form that is an eigenvector for every Hecke operator. A cuspidal eigenform has nonzero first Fourier coefficient: $a_1(T_{n}f)=a_n(f)$ proves this. Normalize $a_1=1$, and then $T_{n}f=a_n(f)f$. The Hecke multiplication relations give multiplicativity and the prime-power recurrence of the coefficients.

The rational space of level-one cusp forms has a full lattice of forms with integral Fourier coefficients. It has finite rank by the valence formula for the modular group, and is preserved by the Fourier coefficients of a composite-index Hecke operator formula. Thus every Hecke operator has a monic integral characteristic polynomial on this lattice, and its eigenvalues are algebraic integers. The common eigenvalue field is totally real by the Petersson inner product self-adjointness.

For a rational matrix of positive determinant, this slash normalization differs from the determinant-normalized slash operator by $(\det \alpha {)}^{k/2-1}$. Both are right actions, by the automorphy factor identity. For a positive scalar $t$, the displayed action of $tI$ is multiplication by $t^{k-2}$. On determinant-one matrices it agrees with the ordinary slash operator for modular forms. This normalization makes a good-prime Hecke operator a plain sum over its double-coset representatives.

One standard normalization isWith lattice model of a modular form homogeneity $F(uL)=u^{-k}F(L)$, the factor $1/n$ gives the usual weight-$k$ Hecke operator. For prime $p$, the overlattices contribute $f((\tau +b)/p)$ and $p^{k}f(p\tau )$; division by $p$ produces the standard Fourier coefficients.

Sum over index-$p$ overlattices in which the marked point retains exact order $N$. There are $p+1$ summands at good primes and $p$ at bad primes. With homogeneity $F(uL,ut)=u^{-k}F(L,t)$, the coefficient $1/p$ is the normalization giving the standard Hecke operator Fourier action. Cusp holomorphy under rational slash operators proves preservation of modular forms.

On level-one cusp forms, determinant-normalized Hecke operators satisfy $⟨T_{n}f,g⟩=⟨f,T_{n}g⟩$. Unfolding their finite correspondences transfers a matrix to its inverse; its adjugate has the same determinant and reverses the correspondence. Since these operators commute, the cusp space has a common orthonormal basis of Hecke eigenforms, with real eigenvalues.

This is the subring generated by the Hecke operators $T_n$ and the integer scalars acting on level-one cusp forms. It preserves the lattice of cusp forms with integral Fourier coefficients of a composite-index Hecke operator. It is distinct from the generic Hecke algebra attached to a Coxeter system.

A modular Hecke algebra is the algebra generated by Hecke operators acting on a specified space of modular forms, with level, weight and coefficient ring fixed. Its Eisenstein ideal encodes congruences with Eisenstein eigenvalues. This arithmetic algebra should not be confused with the generic Hecke algebra of a Coxeter group.

A modular symbol is the relative homology class of a path between two modular cusps. Oriented paths satisfy $\{\alpha ,\beta \}+\{\beta ,\gamma \}=\{\alpha ,\gamma \}$. Continued fractions subdivide rational-endpoint paths into unimodular edges, giving a finite presentation through Manin symbols. The Hecke operators act by finite sums of transformed paths, so their matrices can be computed by rational linear algebra.

A newform is a normalized Hecke eigenform in the new subspace of cusp forms. Its weight, level and Dirichlet character are part of its specification. For a newform, its Fourier coefficients equal its eigenvalues of Hecke operators.

On the new subspace of cusp forms, a common eigenspace for the Hecke operators away from the level has dimension one. Distinct newforms, even at different primitive levels, have different systems of these eigenvalues. Consequently the commuting bad-prime operators also act by scalars on these lines. This is the multiplicity-one part of Atkin-Lehner-Li theory, not a consequence of normal operator diagonalization alone. See Stein's statement of the theorem.

A simultaneous eigenfunction of all normalized level-one Hecke operators in positive even weight, with nonzero constant Fourier coefficient, is a multiple of the normalized Eisenstein series. The constant coefficient forces its $T_n$ eigenvalue to be ${\sigma }_{k-1}(n)$, and $a_1(T_{n}f)=a_n(f)$ forces $a_n(f)=a_1(f){\sigma }_{k-1}(n)$. Subtracting the matching constant multiple of the Eisenstein series leaves a cusp form. Unless every coefficient vanishes, its prime-index coefficients grow like $p^{k-1}$, contradicting the Fourier coefficient bound for a cusp form $O(p^{k/2})$ when $k\ge 4$. Weight two has no nonzero modular forms, by vanishing of weight-two level-one modular forms.

The old subspace is spanned by $h(tz)$ for cusp forms $h$ of level $M<N$, where $M\mid N$ and $t\mid N/M$. It is stable under the Hecke operators, but need not have a basis of eigenvectors for every bad-prime operator. Its Petersson inner product orthogonal complement is the new subspace of cusp forms.

Use the determinant-normalized slash operator and let ${\mathcal{M}}_n$ be all integral matrices of positive determinant $n$. Their left $S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$ cosets have the unique determinant-n matrix representatives for Hecke operatorsInteger row operations reduce the first column to $(a,0{)}^T$, and a row shear then reduces $b$ modulo $d$. DefineChanging representatives does not affect the sum, while right multiplication by the modular group permutes the cosets. Hence $T_{n}f$ has the same modular transformation law. Rational positive-determinant slash transforms are holomorphic on $\mathbb{H}$ and preserve modular cusp vanishing: choose an integral matrix carrying infinity to their rational image modular cusp, after which the remaining matrix is upper triangular. Its positive dilation sends the original decaying modular cusp expansion to another decaying expansion. Thus these are well-defined Hecke operators on $S_k$.

For the Fourier expansion, insert $f(z)={\sum }_{m\ge 1}a(m)e^{2\pi imz}$. The sum over $b$ vanishes unless $d\mid m$, in which case it is $d$. Writing $m=d\ell$, the resulting exponential is $q^{a\ell }$, and its factor is $n^{k-1}{d}^{1-k}=a^{k-1}$. ThereforeIn particular, the first coefficient of $T_{n}f$ is $a(n;f)$.

Assume $f\ne 0$ is a simultaneous Hecke eigenform. The first-coefficient identity gives $a(n)=\lambda (n)a(1)$. If $a(1)=0$, all coefficients vanish, contradicting $f\ne 0$. After dividing by $a(1)$, we may therefore suppose $a(1)=1$, and then $\lambda (n)=a(n)$.

We derive the relations needed for the Euler product. For coprime $m,n$, applying the coefficient formula twice splits the divisors into their disjoint prime supports and yields $T_m{T}_n=T_{mn}$. For one prime define formal Fourier operators $U_p(\sum a(r)q^r)=\sum a(pr)q^r$ and $V_{p}f(z)=f(pz)$. The coefficient formula givesMultiplying this finite sum by $T_p=U_p+p^{k-1}{V}_p$ shows thatThese auxiliary operators need not separately preserve level one; the identities concern their action on Fourier series. Applied to the eigenform, they giveThe prime-power generating function consequently satisfiesMultiplicativity and unique prime factorization now prove the Euler product of a Hecke eigenform:For the original unnormalized form, the right side is multiplied by $a(1)$ and $a(p)$ in the factors is replaced by $\lambda (p)=a(p)/a(1)$. The zero form has $L=0$ and is excluded from the nonzero-eigenform product assertion.

These manipulations initially hold in an absolutely convergent right half-plane. For example, $y^{k/2}|f(z)|$ is bounded by modular invariance and modular cusp decay. The coefficient integral at $y=1/n$ gives $|a(n)|\le C{n}^{k/2}$, so $\mathrm{Re}s>k/2+1$ is sufficient. No analytic continuation is needed to justify the initial product.

Write $\Gamma =S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$ and use the determinant-normalized slash operatorThe automorphy factor identity proves $(f{|}_k\alpha ){|}_k\beta =f{|}_k(\alpha \beta )$, and positive scalar matrices act trivially. Let ${\mathcal{M}}_n$ be all integral matrices of determinant $n>0$. It is stable under left and right multiplication by $\Gamma$. Its left orbits have unique representativesIndeed Bézout's identity reduces the first column to $(a,0)$, the determinant fixes $d=n/a$, and a row shear reduces $b$ modulo $d$. These are the determinant-n matrix representatives for Hecke operators. For composite $n$, ${\mathcal{M}}_n$ can contain more than one double coset; keeping every integral matrix, including nonprimitive ones, is essential.

Define the Hecke operator byChanging a representative on the left leaves its summand unchanged. Right multiplication by $\Gamma$ permutes left orbits of ${\mathcal{M}}_n$, so the result satisfies the weight-$k$ transformation law. Each summand is holomorphic. Its expansion at infinity is bounded, and vanishes there when $f$ is a cusp form; the group has just one cusp class. Therefore $T_n$ preserves both $M_k$ and $S_k$, and $T_1$ is the identity.

For a Fourier expansion $f={\sum }_{r\ge 0}{a}_r{q}^r$, the sum over $b$ vanishes unless $d\mid r$. Substitute $r=dt$ and then collect the coefficient of $q^m$ to obtain the Fourier coefficients of a composite-index Hecke operator:Here $\gcd (0,n)=n$, so the constant coefficient is ${\sigma }_{k-1}(n)a_0$; at $m=1$ it is $a_n$. This proves preservation of integral coefficients. At a prime,with $a_{m/p}=0$ if $p\nmid m$.

We can prove the entire Hecke multiplication relations directly, not just quote them. On formal power series put $U_p(\sum a_m{q}^m)=\sum a_{pm}{q}^m$ and $V_{p}f(q)=f(q^p)$. Although these individual operators need not preserve level one, $U_p{V}_p=1$ and the coefficient formula givesMultiply on the left by $T_p=U_p+p^{k-1}{V}_p$. In the first part the $j=0$ term is $U_p^{r+1}$; every $j\ge 1$ reduces by $U_p{V}_p=1$ to $p^{j(k-1)}{V}_p^{j-1}{U}_p^{r-j}$. The second part, together with the $j=0$ term, is $T_{p^{r+1}}$. The remaining sum is $p^{k-1}{T}_{p^{r-1}}$. ThusFor coprime indices, the coefficient divisors split independently in the displayed formula, proving $T_m{T}_n=T_{mn}$ when $(m,n)=1$. Induction with the prime-power recurrence gives $T_{p^r}{T}_{p^t}={\sum }_{j=0}^{\min (r,t)}{p}^{j(k-1)}{T}_{p^{r+t-2j}}$. Combining the primes provesIn particular the modular Hecke algebra is commutative and is generated by the prime operators.

For cusp forms the Petersson inner product isCusp decay makes it finite and positive definite. The Hecke operators are self-adjoint for the Petersson inner product. To see the change-of-variables mechanism, fix a double coset $\Gamma \alpha \Gamma \subset {\mathcal{M}}_n$ and put $H=\Gamma \cap {\alpha }^{-1}\Gamma \alpha$. Representatives $\gamma$ of $H\backslash \Gamma$ give left representatives $\alpha \gamma$. Unfolding the sum in $⟨{\sum }_{\gamma }f{|}_k\alpha \gamma ,g⟩$ changes the integral over $\Gamma \backslash \mathbb{H}$ to the integral over $H\backslash \mathbb{H}$ of $(f{|}_k\alpha )\overline{g}$. The substitution $w=\alpha \tau$ preserves $dxdy/y^2$ and has $\Im w=(\det \alpha )y/|c\tau +d{|}^2$; these factors move the slash from $f$ to $g{|}_k{\alpha }^{-1}$. Refold over $\alpha H{\alpha }^{-1}=\Gamma \cap \alpha \Gamma {\alpha }^{-1}$ to get the reverse double coset. Since scalar matrices act trivially, ${\alpha }^{-1}$ has the same slash action as its adjugate ${\alpha }^{\ast }=n{\alpha }^{-1}$, an integral matrix of determinant $n$. The adjugate involution permutes all the double cosets in ${\mathcal{M}}_n$. The common real factor $n^{k/2-1}$ is unchanged, giving $⟨T_{n}f,g⟩=⟨f,T_{n}g⟩$.

Since $S_k$ is finite dimensional, commuting self-adjoint linear operators have a common orthonormal basis of Hecke eigenforms: diagonalize one operator, restrict the others to its eigenspaces, and repeat until these spaces cannot split further. If $f$ is a nonzero common Hecke eigenform with $T_{n}f={\lambda }_{n}f$, the coefficient at $q$ gives $a_n={\lambda }_n{a}_1$. Were $a_1=0$, every positive coefficient would vanish, contrary to $f\ne 0$ being cuspidal. Normalize $a_1=1$; then ${\lambda }_n=a_n$, and the Hecke multiplication relations yieldThe eigenvalues are real by self-adjointness. Their multiplicativity and prime-power recurrence give the Euler product of a Hecke eigenform, initially in an absolutely convergent half-plane:The Mellin transform in Question 5 supplies its analytic continuation and functional equation.

Finally, for positive even $k\ge 4$, $M_k=\mathbb{C}{E}_k\oplus S_k$, by subtracting the constant coefficient times the normalized Eisenstein series. The divisor identityfollows by multiplying the geometric sums at each prime; it and the constant-coefficient formula prove $T_n{E}_k={\sigma }_{k-1}(n)E_k$. Thus $M_k$ has an Eisenstein series eigenline and a basis of cuspidal Hecke eigenforms. Odd and negative weights have no forms, $M_2=0$, and on $M_0=\mathbb{C}$ the operator is the scalar ${\sigma }_{-1}(n)$. These statements fix the normalization and describe the exceptional small weights as well.

Fix an even weight $k$ and write $\Gamma =S{L}_2(\mathbb{Z})$. Extend the slash operator for modular forms to positive-determinant rational matrices by the determinant-normalized slash operatorThe automorphy factor identity makes this a right action. Let ${\mathcal{D}}_n$ be the integral matrices of determinant $n>0$. Their left $\Gamma$-cosets have unique determinant-n matrix representatives for Hecke operatorsAn integral row operation obtained from Bézout's identity makes the first column $(a,0{)}^T$, and a row shear reduces the other top entry modulo $d$, proving this description. The usual Hecke operator isThis normalization has $T_1=1$. Right multiplication by $\Gamma$ permutes the left cosets in ${\mathcal{D}}_n$, so $T_{n}f$ has the same modular transformation law as $f$. Each summand is holomorphic in $\mathbb{H}$. Holomorphy at the cusp and preservation of cusp forms follow directly from the coefficient formula below; the full modular group has only one cusp orbit. Thus the operators act on both $M_k$ and $S_k$.

If $f={\sum }_{r\ge 0}{a}_r{q}^r$, summing over $b$ kills terms unless $d\mid r$. Writing $r=d\ell$ gives output exponent $a\ell$, so a term of exponent $m$ requires $a\mid m$ and has original index $r=dm/a=nm/a^2$. Its multiplier is $n^{k-1}{d}^{1-k}=a^{k-1}$. The Fourier coefficients of a composite-index Hecke operator are consequentlyFor $m=0$, this means $a_0(T_{n}f)={\sigma }_{k-1}(n)a_0(f)$. In particular $a_1(T_{n}f)=a_n(f)$. For a prime number $p$,with a nonexistent fractional-index coefficient interpreted as zero.

The Hecke multiplication relations follow from these coefficients. For coprime indices, the two divisor choices combine uniquely and give $T_m{T}_n=T_{mn}$. For prime powers put $A=p^{k-1}$, and, on formal Fourier series, let $U_p(\sum a_m{q}^m)=\sum a_{pm}{q}^m$ and $V_p(\sum a_m{q}^m)=\sum a_m{q}^{pm}$. These individual maps need not preserve level one, but $U_p{V}_p=1$, and the coefficient formula givesMultiplying on the left by $T_p=U_p+A{V}_p$ and cancelling $U_p{V}_p$ yieldsInduction gives $T_{p^u}{T}_{p^v}={\sum }_{j=0}^{\min (u,v)}{p}^{j(k-1)}{T}_{p^{u+v-2j}}$; combining distinct prime factors provesThe modular Hecke algebra is therefore commutative and generated by its prime-index operators. The identity $U_p{V}_p=1$, rather than the generally false reversed identity, is what proves the prime-power recurrence.

On $S_k$ use the positive definite Petersson inner productExponential cusp decay makes this integral finite. The Hecke operators are self-adjoint for the Petersson inner product. Here is the correspondence argument. For a positive-determinant matrix $\alpha$, set $H=\Gamma \cap {\alpha }^{-1}\Gamma \alpha$. The finite sum over the double coset $\Gamma \alpha \Gamma$ unfolds its pairing intoChanging variables $z=\alpha \tau$ preserves hyperbolic area, and $\mathrm{Im}(\alpha \tau )=\det (\alpha )y/|c\tau +d{|}^2$ shows that the determinant-normalized slash factors transfer $\alpha$ from $f$ to ${\alpha }^{-1}$ on $g$. The new quotient is by $\alpha H{\alpha }^{-1}=\Gamma \cap \alpha \Gamma {\alpha }^{-1}$; folding it back gives the operator for the reversed double coset. For $\alpha \in {\mathcal{D}}_n$, its adjugate $n{\alpha }^{-1}$ again lies in ${\mathcal{D}}_n$. Positive scalar matrices act trivially in the determinant normalization, so ${\alpha }^{-1}$ and its adjugate give the same action. The adjugate involution preserves the entire determinant-$n$ correspondence, and the external normalization $n^{k/2-1}$ is real. Thus

Finite-dimensional spectral theory now gives a simultaneous orthonormal eigenbasis on $S_k$, since the operators commute and are self-adjoint. For a common Hecke eigenform $f$ with eigenvalues ${\lambda }_n$, the first-coefficient formula gives $a_n(f)={\lambda }_n{a}_1(f)$. If $a_1(f)=0$, every coefficient vanishes and $f=0$, a contradiction. Rescale each eigenform to have $a_1=1$. The resulting basis is orthogonal, andAll these eigenvalues and coefficients are real. A fixed simultaneous eigenspace is one-dimensional, because its normalized Fourier coefficients are uniquely determined by the eigenvalues.

Applying the multiplication relations to an eigenform givesThe recurrence yields ${\sum }_{r\ge 0}{a}_{p^r}{X}^r=(1-a_{p}X+p^{k-1}{X}^2{)}^{-1}$. Multiplicativity then gives the Euler product of a Hecke eigenforminitially in a right half-plane, for example $\mathrm{Re}s>k/2+1$ using the Fourier coefficient bound for a cusp form. Modular inversion and the Mellin transform of a cusp-form L-function continue $\Lambda (f,s)=(2\pi {)}^{-s}\Gamma (s)L(f,s)$ to an entire function and give $\Lambda (f,s)=i^k\Lambda (f,k-s)$.

There is also an integral structure. If $d=\dim S_k$, choose $F_j={\Delta }^j{R}_{k-12j}$, $1\le j\le d$, with $R_w$ a monomial in $E_4,E_6$ of weight $w$ and constant term one. These forms have integral Fourier coefficients and start with $q^j$; their first $d$ coefficients form a unitriangular matrix. They are a basis, and every cusp form with integral coefficients is an integral combination of them, by successive elimination of its first $d$ coefficients. The coefficient formula shows that $T_n$ preserves this lattice. Its characteristic polynomial is consequently monic with integer coefficients, proving that the Hecke eigenvalues are algebraic integers. Together with self-adjointness, this gives real algebraic integers without requiring any unproved bound for their sizes.

For even $k\ge 4$, the full space decomposes as $M_k=\mathbb{C}{E}_k\oplus S_k$. The normalized Eisenstein series is a simultaneous eigenform withIts coefficients are $-2k{\sigma }_{k-1}(m)/B_k$, and the elementary divisor identity ${\sigma }_{k-1}(m){\sigma }_{k-1}(n)={\sum }_{d\mid \gcd (m,n)}{d}^{k-1}{\sigma }_{k-1}(mn/d^2)$ verifies the eigenvalue formula, including the constant coefficient. Thus the cusp eigenbasis plus $E_k$ diagonalizes the operators on $M_k$. Weight two and odd weights have no forms; in weight zero the constant function has eigenvalue ${\sigma }_{-1}(n)$. As a concrete cuspidal example, $S_{12}=\mathbb{C}\Delta$, so $T_n\Delta =\tau (n)\Delta$ for its Fourier coefficients, and the recurrence gives $\tau (p^2)=\tau (p{)}^2-p^{11}$.

Use the standard normalization of the Hecke operator, for whichThe Hecke multiplication relations make these operators commute; a coefficient-based proof is included in 3(i). For a cusp form, $a_0(f)=0$, so the preceding coefficient relation saysfor every $f\in S_k$. Denote the bracketed operator by $D_n$. A vanishing first coefficient alone would not prove $D_n=0$. Instead, for every $m\ge 1$, commute it past $T_m$ and apply the same relation to the cusp form $T_{m}f$:Its constant coefficient is zero too. Thus every Fourier coefficient of $D_{n}f$ vanishes, and holomorphy gives $D_{n}f=0$. We have provedFor $n\ge d$ these are the integers constructed in (ii); for $1\le n<d$, the extension $c_n(j)={\delta }_{nj}$ makes the formula tautological. Without that implicit extension the symbols in the printed all-index assertion are undefined. The $j=0$ term is excluded because its coefficient functional is zero on cusp forms. If $S_k=0$, the operator statement is vacuous. This also exhibits the perfect integral Hecke pairing: the first $d-1$ coefficient functionals on the cusp space are dual to $T_1,\dots ,T_{d-1}$.