This second edition of Generalized Functions has been strengthened in many ways. The already extensive set of examples has been expanded. Since the publication of the first edition, there has been tremendous growth in the subject and I have attempted to incorporate some of these new concepts. Accordingly, almost all the chapters have been revised. The bibliography has been enlarged considerably. Some of the material has been reorganized. For example, Chapters 12 and 13 of the first edition have been consolidated into Chapter 12 of this edition by a judicious process of elimination and addition of the subject matter. The new Chapter 13 explains the interplay between the theories of moments, asymptotics, and singular perturbations. Similarly, some sections of Chapter 15 have been revised and included in earlier chapters to improve the logical flow of ideas. However, two sections are retained. The section dealing with the application of the probability theory has been revised, and I am thankful to Professor Z.L. Crvenkovic for her help. The new material included in this chapter pertains to the modern topics of periodic distributions and microlocal theory. I have demonstrated through various examples that familiarity with the generalized functions is very helpful for students in physical sciences and technology. For instance, the reader will realize from Chapter 6 how the generalized functions have revolutionized the Fourier analysis which is being used extensively in many fields of scientific activity.

Over the past few years a certain shift of focus within the theory of algebras of generalized functions (in the sense of J. F. Colombeau) has taken place. Originating in infinite dimensional analysis and initially applied mainly to problems in nonlinear partial differential equations involving singularities, the theory has undergone a change both in in ternal structure and scope of applicability, due to a growing number of applications to questions of a more geometric nature. The present book is intended to provide an in-depth presentation of these develop ments comprising its structural aspects within the theory of generalized functions as well as a (selective but, as we hope, representative) set of applications. This main purpose of the book is accompanied by a number of sub ordinate goals which we were aiming at when arranging the material included here. First, despite the fact that by now several excellent mono graphs on Colombeau algebras are available, we have decided to give a self-contained introduction to the field in Chapter 1. Our motivation for this decision derives from two main features of our approach. On the one hand, in contrast to other treatments of the subject we base our intro duction to the field on the so-called special variant of the algebras, which makes many of the fundamental ideas of the field particularly transpar ent and at the same time facilitates and motivates the introduction of the more involved concepts treated later in the chapter.

This volume presents the general theory of generalized functions, including the Fourier, Laplace, Mellin, Hilbert, Cauchy-Bochner and Poisson integral transforms and operational calculus, with the traditional material augmented by the theory of Fourier series, abelian theorems, and boundary values of helomorphic functions for one and several variables. The author addresses several facets in depth, including convolution theory, convolution algebras and convolution equations in them, homogenous generalized functions, and multiplication of generalized functions. This book will meet the needs of researchers, engineers, and students of applied mathematics, control theory, and the engineering sciences.

Combining mathematical theory, physical principles, and engineering problems, Generalized Calculus with Applications to Matter and Forces examines generalized functions, including the Heaviside unit jump and the Dirac unit impulse and its derivatives of all orders, in one and several dimensions. The text introduces the two main approaches to generalized functions: (1) as a nonuniform limit of a family of ordinary functions, and (2) as a functional over a set of test functions from which properties are inherited. The second approach is developed more extensively to encompass multidimensional generalized functions whose arguments are ordinary functions of several variables. As part of a series of books for engineers and scientists exploring advanced mathematics, Generalized Calculus with Applications to Matter and Forces presents generalized functions from an applied point of view, tackling problem classes such as: Gauss and Stokes’ theorems in the differential geometry, tensor calculus, and theory of potential fields Self-adjoint and non-self-adjoint problems for linear differential equations and nonlinear problems with large deformations Multipolar expansions and Green’s functions for elastic strings and bars, potential and rotational flow, electro- and magnetostatics, and more This third volume in the series Mathematics and Physics for Science and Technology is designed to complete the theory of functions and its application to potential fields, relating generalized functions to broader follow-on topics like differential equations. Featuring step-by-step examples with interpretations of results and discussions of assumptions and their consequences, Generalized Calculus with Applications to Matter and Forces enables readers to construct mathematical–physical models suited to new observations or novel engineering devices.

This book gives a comprehensive introduction to modern quantum mechanics, emphasising the underlying Hilbert space theory and generalised function theory. All the major modern techniques and approaches used in quantum mechanics are introduced, such as Berry phase, coherent and squeezed states, quantum computing, solitons and quantum mechanics. Audience: The book is suitable for graduate students in physics and mathematics.