Estimates for the heat kernel on differential forms on Riemannian symmetric spaces and applications (Q2431511)

Estimates for the large time behavior of the heat kernel for differential forms are obtained by using algebraic and analytic tools from the representation theory of semisimple Lie groups. First, the upper bounds estimations for the large time behavior of the heat kernel and for the resolvent of the form Laplacian on Riemannian symmetric spaces are proven. Then, using some techniques from the theory of special functions, one obtains the \(L^{2+e}\)-estimates for the resolvent of the form Laplacian on general symmetric spaces. It is emphasized that these estimations play an important role in the theory of ``Einstein transforms'' and the Langlands' decomposition. Lower bounds for the bottom of the spectrum of the form Laplacian are deduced and some results on the vanishing of the (reduced or nonreduced) \(L^2\)-cohomology of locally symmetric spaces are established. Detailed computations on the bottom spectrum of the form Laplacian are also inclosed in an appendix to the paper.