Theta functions, fourth moments of eigenforms, and the sup-norm problem I

Ilya Khayutin, Raphael S. Steiner

Published 2020-09-15Version 1

We give sharp point-wise bounds in the weight-aspect on fourth moments of modular forms on arithmetic hyperbolic surfaces associated to Eichler orders. Therefore we strengthen a result of Xia and extend it to co-compact lattices, where we improve upon work of Das--Sengupta. We realize this fourth moment by constructing a holomorphic theta kernel on $\mathbf{G} \times \mathbf{G} \times \mathbf{SL}_{2}$, for $\mathbf{G}$ an indefinite inner-form of $\mathbf{SL}_2$ over $\mathbb{Q}$, based on the Bergman kernel, and considering its $L^2$-norm in the Weil variable. The constructed theta kernel further gives rise to new elementary theta series for integral quadratic forms of signature $(2,2)$.