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Fabio Nicola

Publications and source records attributed to Fabio Nicola.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Sharp $L^p$ estimates for Schrödinger groups on spaces of homogeneous type

We prove an $L^{p}$ estimate $$ \|e^{-itL} φ(L)f\|_{p}\lesssim (1+|t|)^s\|f\|_p, \qquad t\in \mathbb{R}, \qquad s=n\left|\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{p}\right| $$ for the Schrödinger group generated by a semibounded, selfadjoint operator $L$ on a metric measure space $\mathcal{X}$ of homogeneous type (where $n$ is the doubling dimension of $\mathcal{X}$). The assumptions on $L$ are a mild $L^{p_{0}}\to L^{p_{0}'}$ smoothing estimate and a mild $L^{2}\to L^{2}$ off--diagonal estimate for the corresponding heat kernel $e^{-tL}$. The estimate is uniform for $ φ$ varying in bounded sets of $\mathscr{S}(\mathbb{R})$, or more generally of a suitable weighted Sobolev space. We also prove, under slightly stronger assumptions on $L$, that the estimate extends to $$ \|e^{-itL} φ(θL)f\|_{p}\lesssim (1+θ^{-1}|t|)^s\|f\|_p, \qquad θ>0, \quad t\in \mathbb{R}, $$ with uniformity also for $θ$ varying in bounded subsets of $(0,+\infty)$. For nonnegative operators uniformity holds for all $θ>0$.

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A characterization of modulation spaces by symplectic rotations

This note contains a new characterization of modulation spaces $M^p(\mathbb{R}^n)$, $1\leq p\leq \infty$, by symplectic rotations. Precisely, instead to measure the time-frequency content of a function by using translations and modulations of a fixed window as building blocks, we use translations and metaplectic operators corresponding to symplectic rotations. Technically, this amounts to replace, in the computation of the $M^p(\mathbb{R}^n)$-norm, the integral in the time-frequency plane with an integral on $\mathbb{R}^n\times U(2n,\mathbb{R})$ with respect to a suitable measure, $U(2n,\mathbb{R})$ being the group of symplectic rotations. More conceptually, we are considering a sort of polar coordinates in the time-frequency plane. In this new framework, the Gaussian invariance under symplectic rotations yields to choose Gaussians as suitable window functions. We also provide a similar characterization with the group $U(2n,\mathbb{R})$ being reduced to the $n$-dimensional torus $\mathbb{T}^n$.

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On the Positivity of Trace Class Operators

The characterization of positivity properties of Weyl operators is a notoriously difficult problem, and not much progress has been made since the pioneering work of Kastler, Loupias, and Miracle-Sole (KLM). In this paper we begin by reviewing and giving simpler proofs of some known results for trace-class Weyl operators; the latter play an essential role in quantum mechanics. We then apply time-frequency analysis techniques to prove a phase space version of the KLM condition; the main tools are Gabor frames and the Wigner formalism. Finally, discrete approximations of the KLM condition, which are tractable numerically, are provided.

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Strichartz estimates for the metaplectic representation

Strichartz estimates are a manifestation of a dispersion phenomenon, exhibited by certain partial differential equations, which is detected by suitable Lebesgue space norms. In most cases the evolution propagator $U(t)$ is a one parameter group of unitary operators. Motivated by the importance of decay estimates in group representation theory and ergodic theory, Strichartz-type estimates seem worth investigating when $U(t)$ is replaced by a unitary representation of a non-compact Lie group, the group element playing the role of time. Since the Schrödinger group is a subgroup of the metaplectc group, the case of the metaplectic or oscillatory representation is of special interest in this connection. We prove uniform weak-type sharp estimates for matrix coefficients and Strichartz estimates for that representation. The crucial point is the choice of function spaces able to detect such a dispersive effect, which in general will depend on the given group action. The relevant function spaces here turn out to be the so-called modulation spaces from Time-frequency Analysis in Euclidean space, and Lebesgue spaces with respect to Haar measure on the metaplectic group. The proofs make use in an essential way of the covariance of the Wigner distribution with respect to the metaplectic representation.

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Kernel theorems for modulation spaces

We deal with kernel theorems for modulation spaces. We completely characterize the continuity of a linear operator on the modulation spaces $M^p$ for every $1\leq p\leq\infty$, by the membership of its kernel to (mixed) modulation spaces. Whereas Feichtinger's kernel theorem (which we recapture as a special case) is the modulation space counterpart of Schwartz' kernel theorem for temperate distributions, our results do not have a couterpart in distribution theory. This reveals the superiority, in some respects, of the modulation space formalism upon distribution theory, as already emphasized in Feichtinger's manifesto for a post-modern harmonic analysis, tailored to the needs of mathematical signal processing. The proof uses in an essential way a discretization of the problem by means of Gabor frames. We also show the equivalence of the operator norm and the modulation space norm of the corresponding kernel. For operators acting on $M^{p,q}$ a similar characterization is not expected, but sufficient conditions for boundedness can be sated in the same spirit.

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On the symplectic covariance and interferences of time-frequency distributions

We study the covariance property of quadratic time-frequency distributions with respect to the action of the extended symplectic group. We show how covariance is related, and in fact in competition, with the possibility of damping the interferences which arise due to the quadratic nature of the distributions. We also show that the well known fully covariance property of the Wigner distribution in fact characterizes it (up to a constant factor) among the quadratic distributions $L^{2}(\mathbb{R}^{n})\rightarrow C_{0}({ \mathbb{R}^{2n}})$. A similar characterization for the closely related Weyl transform is given as well. The results are illustrated by several numerical experiments for the Wigner and Born-Jordan distributions of the sum of four Gaussian functions in the so-called "diamond configuration".

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Semi-classical Time-frequency Analysis and Applications

This work represents a first systematic attempt to create a common ground for semi-classical and time-frequency analysis. These two different areas combined together provide interesting outcomes in terms of Schrödinger type equations. Indeed, continuity results of both Schrödinger propagators and their asymptotic solutions are obtained on $\hbar$-dependent Banach spaces, the semi-classical version of the well-known modulation spaces. Moreover, their operator norm is controlled by a constant independent of the Planck's constant $\hbar$. The main tool in our investigation is the joint application of standard approximation techniques from semi-classical analysis and a generalized version of Gabor frames, dependent of the parameter $\hbar$. Continuity properties of more general Fourier integral operators (FIOs) and their sparsity are also investigated.

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Sharp integral bounds for Wigner distributions

The cross-Wigner distribution $W(f,g)$ of two functions or temperate distributions $f,g$ is a fundamental tool in quantum mechanics and in signal analysis. Usually, in applications in time-frequency analysis $f$ and $g$ belong to some modulation space and it is important to know which modulation spaces $W(f,g)$ belongs to. Although several particular sufficient conditions have been appeared in this connection, the general problem remains open. In the present paper we solve completely this issue by providing the full range of modulation spaces in which the continuity of the cross-Wigner distribution $W(f,g)$ holds, as a function of $f,g$. The case of weighted modulation spaces is also considered. The consequences of our results are manifold: new bounds for the short-time Fourier transform and the ambiguity function, boundedness results for pseudodifferential (in particular, localization) operators and properties of the Cohen class.

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Born-Jordan Pseudodifferential Operators and the Dirac Correspondence: Beyond the Groenewold-van Hove Theorem

Quantization procedures play an essential role in microlocal analysis, time-frequency analysis and, of course, in quantum mechanics. Roughly speaking the basic idea, due to Dirac, is to associate to any symbol, or observable, $a(x,ξ)$ an operator $\mathrm{Op}(a)$, according to some axioms dictated by physical considerations. This led to the introduction of a variety of quantizations. They all agree when the symbol $a(x,ξ)=f(x)$ depends only on $x$ or $a(x,ξ)=g(ξ)$ depends only on $ξ$: \[ \mathrm{Op}(f\otimes1)u=fu,\quad\mathrm{Op}(1\otimes g)u=\mathcal{F}% ^{-1}(g\mathcal{F}u) \] where $\mathcal{F}$ stands for the Fourier transform. Now, Dirac aimed at finding a quantization satisfying, in addition, the key correspondence \[ \lbrack\mathrm{Op}(a),\operatorname*{Op}(b)]=i\mathrm{Op}(\{a,b\}) \] where $[\,,\,]$ stands for the commutator and $\{\,,\}$ for the Poisson brackets, which would represent a tight link between classical and quantum mechanics. Unfortunately, the famous Groenewold-van Hove theorem states that such a quantization does not exist, and indeed most quantization rules satisfy this property only approximately. Now, in this note we show that the above commutator rule in fact holds for the Born-Jordan quantization, at least for symbols of the type $f(x)+g(ξ)$. Moreover we will prove that, remarkably, this property completely characterizes this quantization rule, making it the quantization which best fits the Dirac dream.

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Born-Jordan Pseudo-Differential Operators with Symbols in the Shubin Classes

We apply Shubin's theory of global symbol classes $Γ_ρ^{m}$ to the Born-Jordan pseudodifferential calculus we have previously developed. This approach has many conceptual advantages, and makes the relationship between the conflicting Born-Jordan and Weyl quantization methods much more limpid. We give, in particular, precise asymptotic expansions of symbols allowing to pass from Born-Jordan quantization to Weyl quantization, and vice-versa. In addition we state and prove some regularity and global hypoellipticity results.

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Time-frequency Analysis of Born-Jordan Pseudodifferential Operators

Born-Jordan operators are a class of pseudodifferential operators arising as a generalization of the quantization rule for polynomials on the phase space introduced by Born and Jordan in 1925. The weak definition of such operators involves the Born-Jordan distribution, first introduced by Cohen in 1966 as a member of the Cohen class. We perform a time-frequency analysis of the Cohen kernel of the Born -Jordan distribution, using modulation and Wiener amalgam spaces. We then provide sufficient and necessary conditions for Born-Jordan operators to be bounded on modulation spaces. We use modulation spaces as appropriate symbols classes.

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On the reduction of the interferences in the Born-Jordan distribution

One of the most popular time-frequency representation is certainly the Wigner distribution. To reduce the interferences coming from its quadratic nature, several related distributions have been proposed, among which the so-called Born-Jordan distribution. It is well known that in the Born-Jordan distribution the ghost frequencies are in fact damped quite well, and the noise is in general reduced. However, the horizontal and vertical directions escape from this general smoothing effect, so that the interferences arranged along these directions are in general kept. Whereas these features are graphically evident on examples and heuristically well understood in the engineering community, there is not at present a mathematical explanation of these phenomena, valid for general signals in L^2 and, more in general, in the space S' of temperate distributions. In the present note we provide such a rigorous study using the notion of wave-front set of a distribution. We use techniques from Time-frequency Analysis, such as the modulation and Wiener amalgam spaces, and also results of microlocal regularity of linear partial differential operators.

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Gabor analysis for Schrodinger equations and propagation of singularities

We consider the Schrödinger equation \begin{equation*} i \displaystyle\frac{\partial u}{\partial t} +Hu=0,\quad H=a(x,D), \end{equation*} where the Hamiltonian $a(z)$, $z=(x,ξ)$, is assumed real-valued and smooth, with bounded derivatives $|\partial^αa(z)|\leq C_α$, for every $|α|\geq 2$, $z\in\mathbb{R}^{2d}$. For such equation results are known concerning well-posedness of the Cauchy problem for initial data in $L^2(\mathbb{R}^d)$ and local representation of the propagator $e^{it H}$ by means of Fourier integral operators. In the present paper we give a global expression for $e^{itH}$ in terms of Gabor analysis and we deduce boundedness in modulation spaces. Moreover, by using time-frequency techniques, we obtain a result of propagation of micro-singularities for $e^{itH}$.

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On the Invertibility of Born-Jordan Quantization

As a consequence of the Schwartz kernel Theorem, any linear continuous operator $\widehat{A}:$ $\mathcal{S}(\mathbb{R}^{n})\longrightarrow\mathcal{S}^{\prime}(\mathbb{R}^{n})$ can be written in Weyl form in a unique way, namely it is the Weyl quantization of a unique symbol $a\in\mathcal{S}^{\prime}(\mathbb{R}^{2n})$. Hence, dequantization can always be performed, and in a unique way. Despite the importance of this topic in Quantum Mechanics and Time-frequency Analysis, the same issue for the Born-Jordan quantization seems simply unexplored, except for the case of polynomial symbols, which we also review in detail. In this paper we show that any operator $\widehat{A}$ as above can be written in Born-Jordan form, although the representation is never unique if one allows general temperate distributions as symbols. Then we consider the same problem when the space of temperate distributions is replaced by the space of smooth slowly increasing functions which extend to entire function in $\mathbb{C}^{2n}$, with a growth at most exponential in the imaginary directions. We prove again the validity of such a representation, and we determine a sharp threshold for the exponential growth under which the representation is unique. We employ techniques from the theory of division of distributions.

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On the time slicing approximation of Feynman path integrals for non-smooth potentials

We consider the time slicing approximations of Feynman path integrals, constructed via piecewice classical paths. A detailed study of the convergence in the norm operator topology, in the space $\mathcal{B}(L^2(\mathbb{R}^d))$ of bounded operators on $L^2$, and even in finer operator topologies, was carried on by D. Fujiwara in the case of smooth potentials with an at most quadratic growth. In the present paper we show that the result about the convergence in $\mathcal{B}(L^2(\mathbb{R}^d))$ remains valid if the potential is only assumed to have second space derivatives in the Sobolev space $H^{d+1}(\mathbb{R}^d)$ (locally and uniformly), uniformly in time. The proof is non-perturbative in nature, but relies on a precise short time analysis of the Hamiltonian flow at this Sobolev regularity and on the continuity in $L^2$ of certain oscillatory integral operators with non-smooth phase and amplitude.

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Pointwise decay and smoothness for semilinear elliptic equations and travelling waves

We derive sharp decay estimates and prove holomorphic extensions for the solutions of a class of semilinear nonlocal elliptic equations with linear part given by a sum of Fourier multipliers with finitely smooth symbols at the origin. Applications concern the decay and smoothness of travelling waves for nonlinear evolution equations in fluid dynamics and plasma physics.

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Convergence in $L^p$ for Feynman path integrals

We consider a class of Schrodinger equations with time-dependent smooth magnetic and electric potentials having a growth at infinity at most linear and quadratic, respectively. We study the convergence in $L^p$ with loss of derivatives, $1<p<\infty$, of the time slicing approximations of the corresponding Feynman path integral. The results are completely sharp and hold for long time, where no smoothing effect is available. The techniques are based on the decomposition and reconstruction of functions and operators with respect to certain wave packets in phase space.

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Sharp decay estimates and smoothness for solutions to nonlocal semilinear equations

We consider semilinear equations of the form p(D)u=F(u), with a locally bounded nonlinearity F(u), and a linear part p(D) given by a Fourier multiplier. The multiplier p(ξ) is the sum of positively homogeneous terms, with at least one of them non smooth. This general class of equations includes most physical models for traveling waves in hydrodynamics, the Benjamin-Ono equation being a basic example. We prove sharp pointwise decay estimates for the solutions to such equations, depending on the degree of the non smooth terms in p(ξ). When the nonlinearity is smooth we prove similar estimates for the derivatives of the solution, as well holomorphic extension to a strip, for analytic nonlinearity.

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