Path Integrals, Hyperbolic Spaces and Selberg Trace Formulae

by Christian Grosche

In this second edition, a comprehensive review is given for path integration in two- and three-dimensional (homogeneous) spaces of constant and non-constant curvature, including an enumeration of all the corresponding coordinate systems which allow separation of variables in the Hamiltonian and in the path integral. The corresponding path integral solutions are presented as a tabulation. Proposals concerning interbasis expansions for spheroidal coordinate systems are also given. In particular, the cases of non-constant curvature Darboux spaces are new in this edition.

The volume also contains results on the numerical study of the properties of several integrable billiard systems in compact domains (i.e. rectangles, parallelepipeds, circles and spheres) in two- and three-dimensional flat and hyperbolic spaces. In particular, the discussions of integrable billiards in circles and spheres (flat and hyperbolic spaces) and in three dimensions are new in comparison to the first edition.

In addition, an overview is presented on some recent achievements in the theory of the Selberg trace formula on Riemann surfaces, its super generalization, their use in mathematical physics and string theory, and some further results derived from the Selberg (super-) trace formula.Contents: IntroductionPath Integrals in Quantum MechanicsSeparable Coordinate Systems on Spaces of Constant CurvaturePath Integrals in Pseudo-Euclidean GeometryPath Integrals in Euclidean SpacesPath Integrals on SpheresPath Integrals on HyperboloidsPath Integral on the Complex SpherePath Integrals on Hermitian Hyperbolic SpacePath Integrals on Darboux SpacesPath Integrals on Single-Sheeted HyperboloidsMiscellaneous Results on Path IntegrationBilliard Systems and Periodic Orbit TheoryThe Selberg Trace FormulaThe Selberg Super-Trace FormulaSummary and Discussion
Readership: Graduate and researchers in mathematical physics.

389 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2013