The theory of D-modules is a rich area of study combining ideas from algebra and differential equations, and it has significant applications to diverse areas such as singularity theory and representation theory. This book introduces D-modules and their applications avoiding all unnecessary over-sophistication. It is aimed at beginning graduate students and the approach taken is algebraic, concentrating on the role of the Weyl algebra. Very few prerequisites are assumed, and the book is virtually self-contained. Exercises are included at the end of each chapter and the reader is given ample references to the more advanced literature. This is an excellent introduction to D-modules for all who are new to this area.

Presented here are recent developments in the algebraic theory of D-modules. The book contains an exposition of the basic notions and operations of D-modules, of special features of coherent, holonomic, and regular holonomic D-modules, and of the Riemann-Hilbert correspondence. The theory of Algebraic D-modules has found remarkable applications outside of analysis proper, in particular to infinite dimensional representations of semisimple Lie groups, to representations of Weyl groups, and to algebraic geometry.

D-modules continues to be an active area of stimulating research in such mathematical areas as algebraic, analysis, differential equations, and representation theory. Key to D-modules, Perverse Sheaves, and Representation Theory is the authors' essential algebraic-analytic approach to the theory, which connects D-modules to representation theory and other areas of mathematics. To further aid the reader, and to make the work as self-contained as possible, appendices are provided as background for the theory of derived categories and algebraic varieties. The book is intended to serve graduate students in a classroom setting and as self-study for researchers in algebraic geometry, representation theory.

Masaki Kashiwara is undoubtedly one of the masters of the theory of $D$-modules, and he has created a good, accessible entry point to the subject. The theory of $D$-modules is a very powerful point of view, bringing ideas from algebra and algebraic geometry to the analysis of systems of differential equations. It is often used in conjunction with microlocal analysis, as some of the important theorems are best stated or proved using these techniques. The theory has been used very successfully in applications to representation theory. Here, there is an emphasis on $b$-functions. These show up in various contexts: number theory, analysis, representation theory, and the geometry and invariants of prehomogeneous vector spaces. Some of the most important results on $b$-functions were obtained by Kashiwara. A hot topic from the mid '70s to mid '80s, it has now moved a bit more into the mainstream. Graduate students and research mathematicians will find that working on the subject in the two-decade interval has given Kashiwara a very good perspective for presenting the topic to the general mathematical public.

A unified treatment of the Riemann-Hilbert correspondence for (not necessarily regular) holonomic D-modules using indsheaves.

D-modules continues to be an active area of stimulating research in such mathematical areas as algebraic, analysis, differential equations, and representation theory. Key to D-modules, Perverse Sheaves, and Representation Theory is the authors' essential algebraic-analytic approach to the theory, which connects D-modules to representation theory and other areas of mathematics. To further aid the reader, and to make the work as self-contained as possible, appendices are provided as background for the theory of derived categories and algebraic varieties. The book is intended to serve graduate students in a classroom setting and as self-study for researchers in algebraic geometry, representation theory.

Mixing elementary results and advanced methods, Algebraic Approach to Differential Equations aims to accustom differential equation specialists to algebraic methods in this area of interest. It presents material from a school organized by The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the International Centre for Pure and Applied Mathematics (CIMPA).