Fourier Analysis on Finite Groups and Applications

by Audrey Terras

Overview

This book gives a friendly introduction to Fourier analysis on finite groups, both commutative and noncommutative. Aimed at students in mathematics, engineering and the physical sciences, it examines the theory of finite groups in a manner both accessible to the beginner and suitable for graduate research. With applications in chemistry, error-correcting codes, data analysis, graph theory, number theory and probability, the book presents a concrete approach to abstract group theory through applied examples, pictures and computer experiments. The author divides the book into two parts. In the first part, she parallels the development of Fourier analysis on the real line and the circle, and then moves on to analog of higher dimensional Euclidean space. The second part emphasizes matrix groups such as the Heisenberg group of upper triangular 2x2 matrices with 1's down the diagonal and entries in a finite field. The book concludes with an introduction to zeta functions on finite graphs via the trace formula.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521457187
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/28/1999
Series:	London Mathematical Society Student Texts , #43
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	456
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 1.02(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction; Cast of characters; Part I: 1. Congruences and the quotient ring of the integers mod n; 1.2 The discrete Fourier transform on the finite circle; 1.3 Graphs of Z/nZ, adjacency operators, eigenvalues; 1.4 Four questions about Cayley graphs; 1.5 Finite Euclidean graphs and three questions about their spectra; 1.6 Random walks on Cayley graphs; 1.7 Applications in geometry and analysis; 1.8 The quadratic reciprocity law; 1.9 The fast Fourier transform; 1.10 The DFT on finite Abelian groups - finite tori; 1.11 Error-correcting codes; 1.12 The Poisson sum formula on a finite Abelian group; 1.13 Some applications in chemistry and physics; 1.14 The uncertainty principle; Part II. Introduction; 2.1 Fourier transform and representations of finite groups; 2.2 Induced representations; 2.3 The finite ax + b group; 2.4 Heisenberg group; 2.5 Finite symmetric spaces - finite upper half planes Hq; 2.6 Special functions on Hq - K-Bessel and spherical; 2.7 The general linear group GL(2, Fq); 2.8. Selberg's trace formula and isospectral non-isomorphic graphs; 2.9 The trace formula on finite upper half planes; 2.10 The trace formula for a tree and Ihara's zeta function.

Editorial Reviews

"The book certainly contains a wealth of information...a rewarding pleasure to leaf through its pages." Mathematical Reviews

"...Not merely readable but entertaining and also easy to browse, this book should help lift undergraduate mathematics to a higher level of mathematical sophistication and maturity. Highly recommended." Choice

From the Publisher