Invariant Differential Operators on Symmetric Cones and Hermitian Symmetric Spaces

We give a brief survey on the study of constructions of invariant differential operators on Riemannian symmetric spaces and of combinatorial and analytical properties of their eigenvalues, and pose some open questions.     

The Limit Distribution of the Largest Interpoint Distance from a Symmetric Kotz Sample

Generalizing recent work of P. C. Matthews and A. L. Rukhin (Ann. Appl. Probab.3(1993), 454–466), we obtain the limit law of the largest interpoint Euclidean distance for a spherically symmetric multivariate sample of the Kotz distribution. While going through the proof, some errors in the reasoning given by Matthews and Rukhin are pointed out and corrected.     

Propagating beam analysis of fiber wavelength filters with a depressed-index section

A wavelength filter consisting of single-mode and few-mode fibers is investigated numerically. A simple finite-difference beam-propagation method, in which a transparent boundary condition can be imposed, is developed for circularly symmetric waveguides. After confirming the validity of the numerical method by the mode-mismatch loss, we calculate the propagating field in the fiber wavelength filter, in which interference between LP₀₁, and LP₀₂ modes occurs. To improve the filtering operation, a depressed-index fiber is employed for the few-mode fiber. The effects of the radius and refractive index of the depressed section on the transmission power are revealed and discussed. Power is suppressed to less than 0.1% at 1.3 μm, while maintaining power transmission of more than 85% at 1.55 μm. It is also found that the filtering operation shifts to higher wavelengths as the input power is increased when we choose a self-focusing nonlinear material in the depressed section.     

The Probability Content of Cones in Isotropic Random Fields

This paper provides computable representations for the evaluation of the probability content of cones in isotropic random fields. A decomposition of quadratic forms in spherically symmetric random vectors is obtained and a representation of their moments is derived in terms of finite sums. These results are combined to obtain the distribution function of quadratic forms in spherically symmetric or central elliptically contoured random vectors. Some numerical examples involving the sample serial covariance are provided. Ratios of quadratic forms are also discussed.     

A composition law for Runge-Kutta methods applied to index-2 differential-algebraic equations

This paper presents a new composition law for Runge-Kutta methods when applied to index-2 differential-algebraic systems. Applications of this result to the study of the order of composite methods and of symmetric methods are given.     

Some remarks on the symmetric rank-one update

We consider the symmetric rank-one, quasi-Newton formula. The hereditary properties of this formula do not require quasi-Newton directions of search. Therefore, this formula is easy to use in constrained optimization algorithms; no explicit projections of either the Hessian approximations or the parameter changes are required. Moreover, the entire Hessian approximation is available at each iteration for determining the direction of search, which need not be a quasi-Newton direction. Theoretical difficulties, however, exist. Even for a positive-definite, quadratic function with no constraints, it is possible that the symmetric rank-one update may not be defined at some iteration. In this paper, we first demonstrate that such failures of definition correspond to either losses of independence in the directions of search being generated or to near-singularity of the Hessian approximation being generated. We then describe a procedure that guarantees that these updates are well-defined for any nonsingular quadratic function. This procedure has been incorporated into an algorithm for minimizing a function subject to box constraints. Box constraints arise naturally in the minimization of a function with many minima or a function that is defined only in some subregion of the space.     

Can a Circulating Light Beam Produce a Time Machine

In a recent paper, Mallett found a solution of the Einstein equations in which closed timelike curves (CTC’s) are present in the empty space outside an infinitely long cylinder of light moving in circular paths around an axis. Here we show that, for physically realistic energy densities, the CTC’s occur at distances from the axis greater than the radius of the visible universe by an immense factor. We then show that Mallett’s solution has a curvature singularity on the axis, even in the case where the intensity of the light vanishes. Thus it is not the solution one would get by starting with Minkowski space and establishing a cylinder of light.     

The Orthomodular Poset of Projections of A Symmetric Lattices

In a Hilbert space, there exists a natural correspondence between continuous projections and particular pairs of closed subspaces. In this paper, we generalize this situation and associate to a symmetric lattice L a subset P(L) of L× L, called its projection poset. If L is the lattice of closed subspaces of a topological vector space then elements of P(L) correspond to continuous projections and we prove that automorphisms of P(L) are determined by automorphisms of the lattice L when this lattice satisfies some basic properties of lattices of closed subspaces. Primary: 06C15, Secondary: 03G12 81P10.     

The Doss Trick on Symmetric Spaces

The Doss trick is employed to find solutions of Schrüdinger equations on symmetric spaces of compact type. The potentials and initial conditions are taken from an algebra of functions which admit an holomorphic extension to the complexification of the considered symmetric spaces.     

Energy Conservation with Non-Symplectic Methods: Examples and Counter-Examples

Energy conservation of numerical integrators is well understood for symplectic one-step methods. This article provides new insight into energy conservation with non-symplectic methods. Sufficient conditions and counter-examples are presented. AMS subject classification (2000) 65L06, 65P10, 37J99.Submitted June 2004. Accepted October 2004. Communicated by Syvert Nørsett.