Asymptotes in SU(2) Recoupling Theory: Wigner Matrices, 3j Symbols, and Character Localization

In this paper, we employ a technique combining the Euler Maclaurin formula with the saddle point approximation method to obtain the asymptotic behavior (in the limit of large representation index J) of generic Wigner matrix elements D^J_MM￠(g){D^{J}_{MM'}(g)} . We use this result to derive asymptotic formulae for the character χ ^J (g) of an SU(2) group element and for Wigner’s 3j symbol. Surprisingly, given that we perform five successive layers of approximations, the asymptotic formula we obtain for χ ^J (g) is in fact exact. The result hints at a “Duistermaat-Heckman like” localization property for discrete sums.