Parametrizing elliptic curves by modular units

Abstract

It is well-known that every elliptic curve over the rationals admits a parametrization by means of modular functions. In this short note, we show that only finitely many elliptic curves over $\mathbf{Q}$ can be parametrized by modular units. This answers a question raised by Zudilin in a recent work on Mahler measures. Further, we give the list of all elliptic curves $E$ of conductor up to $1000$ parametrized by modular units supported in the rational torsion subgroup of $E$. Finally, we raise several open questions.