Runge's Method and Modular Curves

Abstract

We bound the j-invariant of S-integral points on arbitrary modular curves over arbitrary fields, in terms of the congruence group defining the curve, assuming a certain Runge condition is satisfied by our objects. We then apply our bounds to prove that for sufficiently large prime p, the points of $X_0^+ (p^r)(Q)$ with r>1 are either cusps or CM points. This can be interpreted as the non-existence of quadratic elliptic Q-curves with higher prime-power degree.