No label defined (Q4440595)

In this very readable survey article, the author explains the history and interdependence of ideas related to the Gindikin-Karpelevič formula. He starts very concretely, by showing how to evaluate certain definite integrals. These integrals are then interpreted in terms of structure theory of a connected semisimple Lie group \(G\) with finite center. Let \(K\) be a maximal compact subgroup of \(G\), let \(G=KAN\) be an Iwasawa decomposition, and let \(P=MAN\) be the corresponding minimal parabolic subgroup. The various choices of \(N\) correspond to choices of positive restricted roots. The Gindikin-Karpelevič formula concerns integrating a certain simple exponential function over the intersection of two different \(N\) as above. The point is that this integral can be split into a product of similar but simpler (lower dimensional) integrals. It is shown in the paper how this formula relates to intertwining operators, which operate between principal series representations corresponding to \(MAN\) for different choices of \(N\). It is also shown how the Gindikin-Karpelevič formula helps to analyze the Harish-Chandra's \(c\)-function, which describes the asymptotics of the spherical functions and is therefore crucial for understanding harmonic analysis of the Riemannian space \(G/K\). For the entire collection see [Zbl 1022.00008].