Non-repetition of second coefficients of Hecke polynomials

Abstract: Let $T_m(N,2k)$ denote the $m$-th Hecke operator on the space $S_{2k}(\Gamma_0(N))$ of cuspidal modular forms of weight $2k$ and level $N$. In this paper, we study the non-repetition of the second coefficient of the characteristic polynomial of $T_m(N,2k)$. We obtain results in the horizontal aspect (where $m$ varies), the vertical aspect (where $k$ varies), and the level aspect (where $N$ varies). Finally, we use these non-repetition results to extend a result of Vilardi and Xue on distinguishing Hecke eigenforms.