This book develops a detailed theory of a generalized Sturm-Liouville Equation, which includes conditions of solvability, classes of uniqueness, positivity properties of solutions and Green's functions, asymptotic properties of solutions at infinity. Of independent interest, the higher-order Sturm-Liouville equation also proved to have important applications to differential equations with operator coefficients and elliptic boundary value problems for domains with non-smooth boundaries. The book addresses graduate students and researchers in ordinary and partial differential equations, and is accessible with a standard undergraduate course in real analysis.
This memoir presents machinery for analyzing many discrete physical situations, and should be of interest to physicists, engineers, and mathematicians. We develop a theory for regular and singular Sturm-Liouville boundary value problems for difference equations, generalizing many of the known results for differential equations. We discuss the self-adjointness of these problems as well as their abstract spectral resolution in the appropriate [italic capital]L2 setting, and give necessary and sufficient conditions for a second-order difference operator to be self-adjoint and have orthogonal polynomials as eigenfunctions.
This is a collection of survey articles based on lectures presented at a colloquium and workshop in Geneva in 2003 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles François Sturm. It aims at giving an overview of the development of Sturm-Liouville theory from its historical roots to present day research. It is the first time that such a comprehensive survey has been made available in compact form. The contributions come from internationally renowned experts and cover a wide range of developments of the theory. The book can therefore serve both as an introduction to Sturm-Liouville theory and as background for ongoing research. The volume is addressed to researchers in related areas, to advanced students and to those interested in the historical development of mathematics. The book will also be of interest to those involved in applications of the theory to diverse areas such as engineering, fluid dynamics and computational spectral analysis.
Developed from a course taught to senior undergraduates, this book provides a unified introduction to Fourier analysis and special functions based on the Sturm-Liouville theory in L2. The text’s presentation follows a clear, rigorous mathematical style that is highly readable. The author first establishes the basic results of Sturm-Liouville theory and then provides examples and applications to illustrate the theory. The final two chapters, on Fourier and Laplace transformations, demonstrate the use of the Fourier series method for representing functions to integral representations.
One of the masters in the differential equations community, the late F.V. Atkinson contributed seminal research to multiparameter spectral theory and Sturm-Liouville theory. His ideas and techniques have long inspired researchers and continue to stimulate discussion. With the help of co-author Angelo B. Mingarelli, Multiparameter Eigenvalue Problem
In 1836-1837 Sturm and Liouville published a series of papers on second order linear ordinary differential operators, which started the subject now known as the Sturm-Liouville problem. In 1910 Hermann Weyl published an article which started the study of singular Sturm-Liouville problems. Since then, the Sturm-Liouville theory remains an intensely active field of research, with many applications in mathematics and mathematical physics. The purpose of the present book is (a) to provide a modern survey of some of the basic properties of Sturm-Liouville theory and (b) to bring the reader to the forefront of knowledge about some aspects of this theory. To use the book, only a basic knowledge of advanced calculus and a rudimentary knowledge of Lebesgue integration and operator theory are assumed. An extensive list of references and examples is provided and numerous open problems are given. The list of examples includes those classical equations and functions associated with the names of Bessel, Fourier, Heun, Ince, Jacobi, Jorgens, Latzko, Legendre, Littlewood-McLeod, Mathieu, Meissner, Morse, as well as examples associated with the harmonic oscillator and the hydrogen atom. Many special functions of applied mathematics and mathematical physics occur in these examples.
Written in a clear and accurate language that students can understand, Trench's new book minimizes the number of explicitly stated theorems and definitions. Instead, he deals with concepts in a conversational style that engages students. He includes more than 250 illustrated, worked examples for easy reading and comprehension. One of the book's many strengths is its problems, which are of consistently high quality. Trench includes a thorough treatment of boundary-value problems and partial differential equations and has organized the book to allow instructors to select the level of technology desired. This has been simplified by using symbols, C and L, to designate the level of technology. C problems call for computations and/or graphics, while L problems are laboratory exercises that require extensive use of technology. Informal advice on the use of technology is included in several sections and instructors who prefer not to emphasize technology can ignore these exercises without interrupting the flow of material.
The interest in inverse problems of spectral analysis has increased considerably in recent years due to the applications to important non-linear equations in mathematical physics. This monograph is devoted to the detailed theory of inverse problems and methods of their solution for the Sturm-Liouville case. Chapters 1--6 contain proofs which are, in many cases, very different from those known earlier. Chapters 4--6 are devoted to inverse problems of quantum scattering theory with attention being focused on physical applications. Chapters 7--11 are based on the author's recent research on the theory of finite- and infinite-zone potentials. A chapter discussing the applications to the Korteweg--de Vries problem is also included. This monograph is important reading for all researchers in the field of mathematics and physics.
This one-of-a-kind book presents many of the mathematical concepts, structures, and techniques used in the study of rays, waves, and scattering. Panoramic in scope, it includes discussions of how ocean waves are refracted around islands and underwater ridges, how seismic waves are refracted in the earth's interior, how atmospheric waves are scattered by mountains and ridges, how the scattering of light waves produces the blue sky, and meteorological phenomena such as rainbows and coronas. Rays, Waves, and Scattering is a valuable resource for practitioners, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates in applied mathematics, theoretical physics, and engineering. Bridging the gap between advanced treatments of the subject written for specialists and less mathematical books aimed at beginners, this unique mathematical compendium features problems and exercises throughout that are geared to various levels of sophistication, covering everything from Ptolemy's theorem to Airy integrals (as well as more technical material), and several informative appendixes. Provides a panoramic look at wave motion in many different contexts Features problems and exercises throughout Includes numerous appendixes, some on topics not often covered An ideal reference book for practitioners Can also serve as a supplemental text in classical applied mathematics, particularly wave theory and mathematical methods in physics and engineering Accessible to anyone with a strong background in ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, and functions of a complex variable
