Wave-trace invariants (Q1918378)

Let \(\lambda_k\) be the eigenvalues of a positive selfadjoint elliptic pseudodifferential operator \(H\) of order 1, operating on the space of smooth half-densities over a compact manifold. Then the tempered distribution \(e(t) = \sum e^{i \lambda_kt}\), is called the wave trace. Consider the periodic trajectories \(\gamma\) of the Hamiltonian vector field associated with the main symbol of \(H\). Then a real number \(T\) can be in the singular support of \(e(t)\) only if \(T\) is a period of such a periodic trajectory. Conversely, if \(\gamma\) is nondegenerate, it contributes to \(e(t)\) a singularity of the form \[ e_\gamma (t)\sim \sum_{r = 1}^\infty c_r(t-T + i0)^{-2+r} \cdot \log (t-T+i0), \] and the leading coefficient \(c_1\) can be expressed explicitly using the linearized Poincaré map about \(\gamma\). Thus, in some sense \(c_1\) determines the leading term in the Birkhoff canonical form of the Poincaré map associated with \(\gamma\). The main result of this paper is the proof that the coefficients \(c_r\) determine the entire Birkhoff canonical form.