Differential Existential Closedness for the $j$-function

Abstract

We prove the Existential Closedness conjecture for the differential equation of the $j$-function and its derivatives. It states that in a differentially closed field certain equations involving the differential equation of the $j$-function have solutions. Its consequences include a complete axiomatisation of $j$-reducts of differentially closed fields, a dichotomy result for strongly minimal sets in those reducts, and a functional analogue of the Modular Zilber-Pink with Derivatives conjecture.