Fundamental solutions for the wave operator (Q1355786)

The wave operator \(\square= (\partial^2/\partial t^2)- \sum_1^n (\partial^2/\partial x_j^2)\) on \(\mathbb{R}^{n+1}\) is one of the fundamental differential operators of mathematical physics. \(\square\) has two fundamental solutions that are widely appreciated, the so-called retarded and advanced Green's functions. It also has another case, the causal Green's function or Feynman propagator for a massless scalar quantum field, that seems to be familiar only to quantum field theorists. These three solutions are all invariant under the orthochronous Lorentz group \(O^+(n,1)\), and it turns out that all \(O^+(n,1)\)-invariant fundamental solutions can be obtained in a simple way from them. The object of this paper is to present a self-contained calculation of all the tempered \(O^+(n,1)\)-invariant solutions of \(\square G=\delta\) and the homogeneous equation \(\square h=0\), as well as their Fourier transforms. We use the method of analytic continuation developed by Marcel Riesz to compute the retarded Green's function in his last published paper [\textit{M. Riesz}, Canadian J. Math. 13, 37-47 (1961; Zbl 0097.07805)]. The prerequisites are a knowledge of the basic theory of tempered distributions and the Fourier transform, and some elementary complex variable theory, especially the notion of analytic continuation and some standard facts about the gamma function. My aim, then, is to assemble the facts about invariant fundamental solutions into a reasonably neat and accessible package. Apart from the intrinsic importance of the results, I think the arguments in this paper have considerable appeal as a display of analytic techniques. I hope also to foster a renewed appreciation of the work of Marcel Riesz, especially his little-known paper [loc. cit.].