A note on a class of Fuchsian operators (Q2254344)

The paper deals with propagation of singularities, in the \(C^\infty\) setting, for operators \(P\) with non-involutive characteristics which are, after conjugation by Fourier integral operators, of the form \[ P=t\partial_t^k + \lambda_1 \partial_t^{k-1}+\dots +\lambda_k. \] Here \(\lambda_j=\lambda_j(t,x,D_t,D_x)\) are pseudodifferential operators of orders \(\leq 0\). For \(k=1\) it is known from the work of Hanges, Ivrii and Melrose how singularities propagate from the doubly characteristic set \(\{t\tau=0\}\) along half-bicharacteristics of the Hamilton functions \(t\) and \(\tau\). (We denote by \(\tau\) the dual variable of \(t\).) Generalizations to Fuchsian systems and higher order equations were obtained in [\textit{A. Bove} et al., Propagation of singularities for Fuchsian operators. Tokyo: Springer-Verlag (1983; Zbl 0507.58002)]. The paper under review treats a particular propagation phenomenon, in the case \(k\geq 2\), which, as the authors assert, is not covered by previous results. The issue is a ``branching phenomenon'' between real principal type and non-involutive propagation. The issue is resolved by decoupling \(Pu=f\) into a \(k\times k\) diagonal system with diagonal elements \(\partial_t,\dots,\partial_t, t\partial_t +\lambda'\). This decoupling is the main tool, and it is obtained using standard methods from Fuchsian systems and from the theory of real principal type systems in the sense of Dencker.