Interpolation by positive definite functions on locally compact groups with application to \(\text{SO} (3)\) (Q1911979)

The translates of a positive definite function on a group can be used for interpolation. The paper addresses the question of how to construct with Bochner's theorem positive semidefinite functions on a locally compact group. A transformation with a suitable analytic function makes positive definite matrices from positive semidefinite ones. The construction is explicitly carried out for the group SO(3). It is finally applied for the interpolation of the energy functional of two molecular groups at a fixed distance as function of the relative rotation.