Theta operators, Goss polynomials, and v-adic modular forms

Abstract

We investigate hyperderivatives of Drinfeld modular forms and determine formulas for these derivatives in terms of Goss polynomials for the kernel of the Carlitz exponential. As a consequence we prove that v-adic modular forms in the sense of Serre, as defined by Goss and Vincent, are preserved under hyperdifferentiation. Moreover, upon multiplication by a Carlitz factorial, hyperdifferentiation preserves v-integrality.