David A. Vogan, Jr. | Searcharxiv

arXiv2018

Signatures for finite-dimensional representations of real reductive Lie groups

We present a closed formula, analogous to the Weyl dimension formula, for the signature of an invariant Hermitian form on any finite-dimensional irreducible representation of a real reductive Lie group, assuming that such a form exists. The formula shows in a precise sense that the form must be very indefinite. For example, if an irreducible representation of $GL(n,R)$ admits an invariant form of signature $(p,q)$, then we show that $(p-q)^2 \le p+q$. The proof is an application of Kostant's computation of the kernel of the Dirac operator.

math.RT↗

arXiv2018

Laplacians on spheres

Spheres can be written as homogeneous spaces $G/H$ for compact Lie groups in a small number of ways. In each case, the decomposition of $L^2(G/H)$ into irreducible representations of $G$ contains interesting information. We recall these decompositions, and see what they can reveal about the analogous problem for noncompact real forms of $G$ and $H$.

math.RT↗