A self-contained and systematic development of an aspect of analysis which deals with the theory of fundamental solutions for differential operators, and their applications to boundary value problems of mathematical physics, applied mathematics, and engineering, with the related computational aspects.

This monograph provides the theoretical foundations needed for the construction of fundamental solutions and fundamental matrices of (systems of) linear partial differential equations. Many illustrative examples also show techniques for finding such solutions in terms of integrals. Particular attention is given to developing the fundamentals of distribution theory, accompanied by calculations of fundamental solutions. The main part of the book deals with existence theorems and uniqueness criteria, the method of parameter integration, the investigation of quasihyperbolic systems by means of Fourier and Laplace transforms, and the representation of fundamental solutions of homogeneous elliptic operators with the help of Abelian integrals. In addition to rigorous distributional derivations and verifications of fundamental solutions, the book also shows how to construct fundamental solutions (matrices) of many physically relevant operators (systems), in elasticity, thermoelasticity, hexagonal/cubic elastodynamics, for Maxwell’s system and others. The book mainly addresses researchers and lecturers who work with partial differential equations. However, it also offers a valuable resource for students with a solid background in vector calculus, complex analysis and functional analysis.

​The theory of distributions constitutes an essential tool in the study of partial differential equations. This textbook would offer, in a concise, largely self-contained form, a rapid introduction to the theory of distributions and its applications to partial differential equations, including computing fundamental solutions for the most basic differential operators: the Laplace, heat, wave, Lam\'e and Schrodinger operators.​

Originally published in 1961, this Classics edition continues to be appealing because it describes a large number of techniques still useful today. Although the primary focus is on the analytical theory, concrete cases are cited to forge the link between theory and practice. Considerable manipulative skill in the practice of differential equations is to be developed by solving the 350 problems in the text. The problems are intended as stimulating corollaries linking theory with application and providing the reader with the foundation for tackling more difficult problems. Lanczos begins with three introductory chapters that explore some of the technical tools needed later in the book, and then goes on to discuss interpolation, harmonic analysis, matrix calculus, the concept of the function space, boundary value problems, and the numerical solution of trajectory problems, among other things. The emphasis is constantly on one question: "What are the basic and characteristic properties of linear differential operators?" In the author's words, this book is written for those "to whom a problem in ordinary or partial differential equations is not a problem of logical acrobatism, but a problem in the exploration of the physical universe. To get an explicit solution of a given boundary value problem is in this age of large electronic computers no longer a basic question. But of what value is the numerical answer if the scientist does not understand the peculiar analytical properties and idiosyncrasies of the given operator? The author hopes that this book will help in this task by telling something about the manifold aspects of a fascinating field."

Existence and approximation theorems for general differential operators -- General L2 estimates -- Fundamental solutions -- The approximation theorem -- Existence theorems for differential operators with constant coefficients -- Convexity with respect to a differential polynomial -- Interior regularity of solutions -- Partial hypoellipticity -- Existence and approximation theorems in spaces of analytic functions -- Appendix A. Semi-algebraic sets -- Appendix B. On uniqueness in the Cauchy problem -- Appendix C. Some formulas of non-commutative algebra.

The 17 invited research articles in this volume, all written by leading experts in their respective fields, are dedicated to the great French mathematician Jean Leray. A wide range of topics with significant new results---detailed proofs---are presented in the areas of partial differential equations, complex analysis, and mathematical physics. Key subjects are: * Treated from the mathematical physics viewpoint: nonlinear stability of an expanding universe, the compressible Euler equation, spin groups and the Leray--Maslov index, * Linked to the Cauchy problem: an intermediate case between effective hyperbolicity and the Levi condition, global Cauchy--Kowalewski theorem in some Gevrey classes, the analytic continuation of the solution, necessary conditions for hyperbolic systems, well posedness in the Gevrey class, uniformly diagonalizable systems and reduced dimension, and monodromy of ramified Cauchy problem. Additional articles examine results on: * Local solvability for a system of partial differential operators, * The hypoellipticity of second order operators, * Differential forms and Hodge theory on analytic spaces, * Subelliptic operators and sub- Riemannian geometry. Contributors: V. Ancona, R. Beals, A. Bove, R. Camales, Y. Choquet- Bruhat, F. Colombini, M. De Gosson, S. De Gosson, M. Di Flaviano, B. Gaveau, D. Gourdin, P. Greiner, Y. Hamada, K. Kajitani, M. Mechab, K. Mizohata, V. Moncrief, N. Nakazawa, T. Nishitani, Y. Ohya, T. Okaji, S. Ouchi, S. Spagnolo, J. Vaillant, C. Wagschal, S. Wakabayashi The book is suitable as a reference text for graduate students and active researchers.

This book gives a systematic account of the facts concerning complexes of differential operators on differentiable manifolds. The central place is occupied by the study of general complexes of differential operators between sections of vector bundles. Although the global situation often contains nothing new as compared with the local one (that is, complexes of partial differential operators on an open subset of ]Rn), the invariant language allows one to simplify the notation and to distinguish better the algebraic nature of some questions. In the last 2 decades within the general theory of complexes of differential operators, the following directions were delineated: 1) the formal theory; 2) the existence theory; 3) the problem of global solvability; 4) overdetermined boundary problems; 5) the generalized Lefschetz theory of fixed points, and 6) the qualitative theory of solutions of overdetermined systems. All of these problems are reflected in this book to some degree. It is superfluous to say that different directions sometimes whimsically intersect. Considerable attention is given to connections and parallels with the theory of functions of several complex variables. One of the reproaches avowed beforehand by the author consists of the shortage of examples. The framework of the book has not permitted their number to be increased significantly. Certain parts of the book consist of results obtained by the author in 1977-1986. They have been presented in seminars in Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Ekaterinburg, and N ovosi birsk.

A procedure following the theory of Hormander is explained for finding the fundamental solution to a hyperbolic linear partial differential equation with constant coefficients. The relevant theorems concerning hyperbolic operators are reviewed and the fundamental solutions are derived for the one and the two dimensional wave equations, and for the equation of small disturbances propagating in a uniform subsonic or supersonic stream. By means of these examples, it is demonstrated that Hormander's theory provides a clear and valuable procedure for obtaining the fundamental solution and for defining the region of integration of the convolution integral solution to the inhomogeneous partial differential equation. By the appropriate choice of inhomogeneous term, the solution to the Cauchy problem for the plane of initial time is easily found for each of the three partial differential equations considered. (Author).