The convolution and multiplication of one‐dimensional associated homogeneous distributions

The set of associated homogeneous distributions (AHDs) with support in R is an important subset of the tempered distributions because it contains the majority of the (one‐dimensional) distributions typically encountered in physics applications (including the δ distribution). In a previous work of the author, a convolution and multiplication product for AHDs on R was defined and fully investigated. The aim of this paper is to give an easy introduction to these new distributional products. The constructed algebras are internal to Schwartz’ theory of distributions and, when one restricts to AHDs, provide a simple alternative for any of the larger generalized function algebras, currently used in non‐linear models. Our approach belongs to the same class as certain methods of renormalization, used in quantum field theory, and are known in the distributional literature as multi‐valued methods. Products of AHDs on R, based on this definition, are generally multi‐valued only at critical degrees of homogeneity. Unlike other definitions proposed in this class, the multi‐valuedness of our products is canonical in the sense that it involves at most one arbitrary constant. A selection of results of (one‐dimensional) distributional convolution and multiplication products are given, with some of them justifying certain distributional products used in quantum field theory. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.