Namias' fractional Fourier transforms on \(L^ 2\) and applications to differential equations (Q1122735)

A fractional Fourier transform \(F_{\alpha}\), \(\alpha\in R\), earlier considered formally by \textit{V. Namias} [J. Inst. Math. Appl. 25, 241-265 (1980; Zbl 0434.42014)] is investigated in the space \(L^ 2(R)\). It is proved that \(\{F_{\alpha},\alpha \in R\}\) is a strongly continuous unitary group of operators on \(L^ 2(R)\). Applications to the solution of partial differential equations are added.