The semi-classical trace formula and propagation of wave packets (Q1897291)

The authors study the spectral and propagation properties of operators of the form \(S_h= \sum^N_{j= 0} h^j P_j\), where \(P_j\) are homogeneous differential operators of order \(j\) on a manifold \(M\) in the asymptotic limit \(h\to 0\). The estimates are expressed in terms of the classical Hamiltonian mechanics associated with the symbol of the operator \(H(x, p)\). Two sets of results are presented. First of all, a semiclassical trace formula (or Gutzwiller's formula) associated with the eigenfunctions of \(S_h\) is given in terms of the periodic trajectories of the Hamiltonian vector field associated with \(H\). Secondly, the authors consider families of functions \(\Psi_h\) attached to certain isotropic submanifolds \(\Lambda\subset T^* M\) and analyze the structure, for any \(t\), of the family \(\exp(- i{t\over h} S_h)\Psi_h\).