Applications of operator semigroups to Fourier analysis

Of concern are semigroups of linear norm one operators on Hilbert space of the form (discrete case)T={T ⁿ /n=0,1,2,...} or (continuous case)T={T(t)/t=≥0}. Using ergodic theory and Hilbert-Schmidt operators, the Cesàro limits (asn→∞) of |〈T ⁿ f,f〉|², |〈T (n)f,f〉|² are computed (withn∈ℤ⁺ orn∈ℤ⁺). Specializing the Hilbert space to beL ²(T,μ) (discrete case) orL ²(ℝ,μ) (continuous case) where μ is a Borel probability measure on the circle group or the line, the Cesàro limit of (asn→±∞, with,n∈ℤ orn∈ℝ) is obtained and interpreted. Extensions toT ^M , and ℝ ^M are given. Finally, we discuss recent operator theoretic extensions from a Hilbert to a Banach space context. Partially supported by an NSF grant