Generalized Functions: Theory and Applications

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 hasbeen tremendous growth inthe subject and Ihave 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 12ofthis edition by ajudicious 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 to 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 modem 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.

This third edition of "Generalized Functions" expands the treatment of fundamental concepts and theoretical background material and delineates connections to a variety of applications in mathematical physics, elasticity, wave propagation, magnetohydrodynamics, linear systems, probability and statistics, optimal control problems in economics, and more. In applying the powerful tools of generalized functions to better serve the needs of physicists, engineers, and applied mathematicians, this work is quite distinct from other books on the subject.

Key new topics and important features:

* Examination of the Poisson Summation Formula and the concepts of differential forms and the delta distribution on wave fronts

* Enhanced presentation of the Schroedinger, Klein–Gordon, Helmholtz, heat and wave equations

* Exposition driven by additional examples and exercises

* Comprehensive bibliography and index

* Prerequisites: advanced calculus, ordinary and partial differential equations

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From the Reviewers:

"Kanwal’s book is a worthy member of this company [Gelfand and Shilov, Semanian, Friedman, Jones, and Barros-Neto]. Its strength lies in the application to classical physics….[it presents] a wealth of applications that cannot be found in any other single source…Kanwal has written a valuable book accessible to first-year graduate students in physics and engineering."

--Ivar Stakgold, Mathematics, University of Delaware

"The advantage of this text is in carefully gathered examples explaining how to use corresponding properties…. Even the standard material connecting with partial and ordinary differential equations is rewritten in modern terminology."

--Zentralblatt