Galois action on special theta values

Abstract

Using Shimura's reciprocity law, we calculate the Galois action on the special values of theta functions associated to primitive Dirichlet characters of odd conductor, normalised by the Dedekind eta function, at the point i. As a consequence, we prove some experimental results of Cohen and Zagier and we deduce a partial result on the non-vanishing of these special theta values with prime conductor.

13 pages, To appear in Journal de Theorie des Nombres de Bordeaux