On the algebraic structure ofN=2 string theory

InN=2 string theory the chiral algebra expresses the generations and anti-generations of the theory and the Yukawa couplings among them and is thus crucial to the phenomenological properties of the theory. Also the connection with complex geometry is largely through the algebras. These algebras are systematically investigated in this paper. A solution for the algebras is found in the context of rational conformal field theory based on Lie algebras. A statistical mechanics interpretation for the chiral algebra is given for a large family of theories and is used to derive a rich structure of equivalences among the theories (dihedralities). The Poincaré polynomials are shown to obey a resolution series which cast these in a form which is a sum of complete intersection Poincaré polynomials. It is suggested that the resolution series is the proper tool for studying allN=2 string theories and, in particular, exposing their geometrical nature.     

Interpolatory integration rules and orthogonal polynomials with varying weights

We investigate which types of asymptotic distributions can be generated by the knots of convergent sequences of interpolatory integration rules. It will turn out that the class of all possible distributions can be described exactly, and it will be shown that the zeros of polynomials that are orthogonal with respect to varying weight functions are good candidates for knots of integration rules with a prescribed asymptotic distribution.Research supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (AZ: Sta 299/4-2).     

A proof of Freud's conjecture for exponential weights

LetW (x) be a function nonnegative inR, positive on a set of positive measure, and such that all power moments ofW ²(x) are finite. Let {p _n (W ²;x)} ₀ denote the sequence of orthonormal polynomials with respect to the weightW ²(x), and let {A _n } ₁ and {B _n } ₁ denote the coefficients in the recurrence relation

How likely is Polya's drunkard to stay in x⩾ y⩾z?

In his celebrated paper, Polya has considered the random walk in the three-dimensional (cubic) lattice and showed that the probability of return to the origin is less than 1. Subsequent authors have shown that the probability is %34.053.... Here we consider the same random walk, with the restriction that the drunkard is only allowed to stay inxyz. It is shown that his probability of returning to the originand staying in the allowed region is %6.4844....     

The crystal structure of the inorganic surface films formed on Mg and Li intercalation compounds and the electrode performance

A crystallographic approach was applied to elucidate the influence of the nature of the surface films on the electrochemical behavior of Li and Mg intercalation compounds. This paper presents two examples: (1) protection of graphite electrodes by Li₂CO₃ surface films, and (2) the unique electrochemical behavior of Mg-containing Chevrel phases (MgCP) obtained by different synthetic routes. In the former case, the elucidation of the protection mechanism and the explanation of the high performance of such protected electrodes are based on the analysis of possible Li-ion motion in the carbonate crystal structure. In the latter case, a combination of synthesis, electrochemistry and XRD analysis was used to explain an unusual phenomenon: the difference between the excellent electrochemical behavior of the Chevrel phase (CP) based on Cu-leached Cu₂Mo₆S₈ (CuCP), and the poor electrochemical activity of the high-temperature synthesized MgCP, with the same phase composition. It is shown that this phenomenon is caused by MgO formation on the surface of the latter material. The different surface chemistry of the MgCPs obtained by the two different synthetic routes was substantiated by revealing the correlation between the electrochemical activity and the chemical stability of these materials under ambient atmosphere conditions. Dedicated to Prof. Mikhail A. Vorotyntsev on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Necessary and sufficient conditions for mean convergence of orthogonal expansions for Freud weights

A classic 1970 paper of B. Muckenhoupt established necessary and sufficient conditions for weightedL _p convergence of Hermite series, that is, orthogonal expansions corresponding to the Hermite weight. We generalize these to orthogonal expansions for a class of Freud weightsW ²:=e ^–2Q , by first proving a bound for the difference of the orthonormal polynomials of degreen+1 andn–1 of the weightW ². Our identical necessary and sufficient conditions close a slight gap in Muckenhoupt's conditions for the Hermite weight at least forp>1. Moreover, our necessary conditions apply whenQ(x)=|x|, >1 while our sufficient conditions apply at least for =2,4,6,....Communicated by Vilmos Totik.     

Behavior of alternation points in best rational approximation

The behavior of the equioscillation points (alternants) for the error in best uniform approximation on [–1, 1] by rational functions of degreen is investigated. In general, the points of the alternants need not be dense in [–1, 1], even when approximation by rational functions of degree (m, n) is considered and asymptoticallym/n 1. We show, however, that if more thanO(logn) poles of the approximants stay at a positive distance from [–1, 1], then asymptotic denseness holds, at least for a subsequence. Furthermore, we obtain stronger distribution results when n (0 < 1) poles stay away from [–1, 1]. In the special case when a Markoff function is approximated, the distribution of the equioscillation points is related to the asymptotics for the degree of approximation.The research of this author was supported, in part, by NSF grant DMS 920-3659.