Contour Hankel dynamics and indicator fields for the Riemann $\Xi$-function

Abstract

We develop a moving-contour Hankel framework for encoding local zero configurations of the Riemann $\Xi$-function. Weighted contour integrals of the logarithmic derivative $\Xi'/\Xi$, expressed in a holomorphic coordinate associated with the contour, are identified with the power moments of a finite atomic measure supported at the coordinate images of the enclosed zeros. This representation yields exact zero-free and rank criteria and, for conjugation-compatible contour-coordinate pairs, an inertia formula: once the matrix order is at least the number of distinct coordinate nodes, the negative index equals the number of distinct nonreal conjugate pairs. Consequently, the Riemann hypothesis admits a local finite-dimensional Hankel-positivity formulation, although establishing this positivity independently of the zero set remains unresolved. As the contour moves, the Hankel matrix evolves by a continuous congruence flow between zero crossings and undergoes finite-rank jumps at crossing events. An isolated zero produces a signed rank-one jump, whereas a nonreal conjugate pair produces a rank-two indefinite event in a real-axis circular scan that meets the pair. Removing the continuous coordinate drift yields a piecewise-constant matrix process from which crossing coordinates, multiplicities, and zero locations can be recovered. Numerical experiments validate the contour quadrature, indicator fields, continuous flow, crossing signatures, and recovery procedure.