From refined estimates for spherical harmonics to a sharp multiplier theorem on the Grushin sphere (Q2421260)

The authors consider a spherical version of the Grushin operator, following \textit{W. Bauer} et al. [Oper. Theory: Adv. Appl. 211, 183--290 (2011; Zbl 1307.58012)]. Namely, in the unit sphere \(S^2=\{z\in \mathbb{R}^3, z^2_1+ z^2_2+ z^2_3= 1\}\) one defines the vector fields \[Z_1= z_3 D_{z_2}- z_2 D_{z_3},\ Z_2= z_1 D_{z_3}- z_3 D_{z_1},\ Z_3= z_2 D_{z_1}- z_1 D_{z_2}.\] The operator under consideration is \(L= Z^2_1+ Z^2_2\in S^2\). \(L\) degenerates on the equator of \(S^2\), however \([Z_1,Z_2]= Z_3\), so we have hypoellipticity and the local behaviour is similar to that of the Grushin operator in the plane. \(L\) is selfadjoint and the eigenfunctions are the classical spherical harmonics \(Y_{n,m}\), \(n\in\mathbb{N}\), \(-n\le m\le n\), with eigenvalues \(\lambda_{n,m}= n(n+1)- m^2\). Basing on this, the authors provide a sharp multiplier theorem of Mikhlin-Hörmander type. The proofs involve adapted estimates for the spherical harmonics. Boundedness results for the associated Bochner-Riesz means are also given. We note that the operator \(L\) presents a combination of geometric features making this study very interesting.