No label defined (Q4490705)

This monoqraphy represents the dissertation of the author, submitted to the Mathematical Institute of the Tohoku University to get the Ph. D. degree. The linear partial differential operators whose hypoellipticity is investigated are of the form \[ P=\partial_t +f(t,x) \sum^n_{j,k=1} a_{jk} (t,x)L_j (x,\partial_x) L_k(x,\partial_x) \text{ in }\mathbb{R}_t \times\mathbb{R}^d_x, \] where \(L_j\) are real vector fields and, generically, \(a_{jk}\) and \(f\) may take complex values. Several interesting results are proved. In the main theorem, the function \(f(t,x)\) is assumed to be real-valued, with possible infinite-order zeros, but not vanishing identically with respect to the \(t\)-variable. Moreover \(f\) does not change the sign; but in the case \(f\) is independent of \(x\), when the sign change from minus to plus is allowed. The matrix \(A(t,x)= (a_{jk})^n_{j,k=1}\) satisfies the following: \(A(t,x)+ {^t\overline A}(t,x)\geq cI\), which implies that the real part of the principal symbol of \(P\) does not change the sign when the dual variables vary. Finally, let the \(L_j\), satisfy the Hörmander condition, that is the Lie algebra generated by \(L_j\), \(j=1,\dots,n\), is of dimension \(d\) at every point of \(\mathbb{R}^d_x\). Under such assumptions \(P\) is proved to be hypoelliptic. Other results concern the case when \(f(t,x)\) is complex-valued, or the order of degeneracy of the vector fields \(L_j\) is not the same. Non-hypoellipticity results are also given.