UCLA

Let$F/\mathbf{Q}$be a totally real field and$K/F$a complex multiplication (CM) quadratic extension. Let$f$be a cuspidal Hilbert modular new form over$F$. Let${\it\lambda}$be a Hecke character over$K$such that the Rankin–Selberg convolution$f$with the${\it\theta}$-series associated with${\it\lambda}$is self-dual with root number 1. We consider the nonvanishing of the family of central-critical Rankin–Selberg$L$-values$L(\frac{1}{2},f\otimes {\it\lambda}{\it\chi})$, as${\it\chi}$varies over the class group characters of$K$. Our approach is geometric, relying on the Zariski density of CM points in self-products of a Hilbert modular Shimura variety. We show that the number of class group characters${\it\chi}$such that$L(\frac{1}{2},f\otimes {\it\lambda}{\it\chi})\neq 0$increases with the absolute value of the discriminant of$K$. We crucially rely on the André–Oort conjecture for arbitrary self-product of the Hilbert modular Shimura variety. In view of the recent results of Tsimerman, Yuan–Zhang and Andreatta–Goren–Howard–Pera, the results are now unconditional. We also consider a quaternionic version. Our approach is geometric, relying on the general theory of Shimura varieties and the geometric definition of nearly holomorphic modular forms. In particular, the approach avoids any use of a subconvex bound for the Rankin–Selberg$L$-values. The Waldspurger formula plays an underlying role.