On the arithmetic of Pad\'e approximants to the exponential function

Abstract

The $(u,v)$-Pad\'e approximation to a function $f$ is the (unique, up to scaling) rational approximation $f(x) = P(x)/Q(x) + O(x^{u+v+1})$, where $P$ has degree $u$ and $Q$ has degree $v$. Motivated by recent work of Molin, Pazuki, and Rabarison, we study the arithmetic of the Pad\'e approximants of the exponential polynomials. By viewing the approximants as certain Generalized Laguerre Polynomials, we determine the Galois groups of the diagonal approximants and prove some special cases of irreducibility.