Automorphic spectra on the tree of \(PGL_ 2\) (Q1179589)

The author develops the spectral theory of functions on the Bruhat-Tits building \(X\) attached to the group \(PGL_ 2\) of a function field over a finite field with \(q\) elements, which are automorphic under the corresponding modular group \(\Gamma\). This may be considered as a simple special case to which the general theory of automorphic forms on \(GL_ 2\) as developed by Jacquet and Langlands applies. There is a natural operator \(T\) acting on \(L^ 2\)-functions on \(X\) which generates the algebra of operators commuting with the isometries of \(X\). The author studies \(T\) as an operator on \(L^ 2(\Gamma\backslash X)\). This investigation is motivated by the classical study of the Laplace- Beltrami operator on \(L^ 2(SL_ 2(\mathbb{Z})\backslash\mathbb{H})\). The main results are: 1. The discrete eigenfunctions of \(T\) generate a two-dimensional subspace \(R\), which is described explicitly. \(\Gamma\) admits no cusp forms. 2. The eigenfunctions in the continuous spectrum span a subspace \(E\) which is an (explicit) isometric image of \(L^ 2([0,\pi])\) with respect to the measure \({1\over 2\pi}((q-1)^ 2+4q\sin^ 2\theta)d\theta\). 3. The spectral resolution of \(T\) on \(L^ 2(\Gamma\backslash X)=R\oplus E\) is given explicitly. The spectrum of \(T\) on \(L^ 2(F)\) is \(\{-(q+1)\), \(q+1\}\cup[-2\sqrt q\), \(2\sqrt q]\).