Spectral multipliers and wave equation for sub-Laplacians: lower regularity bounds of Euclidean type (Q6160157)

Summary: Let \(\mathscr{L}\) be a smooth second-order real differential operator in divergence form on a manifold of dimension \(n\). Under a bracket-generating condition, we show that the ranges of validity of spectral multiplier estimates of Mikhlin-Hörmander type and wave propagator estimates of Miyachi-Peral type for \(\mathscr{L}\) cannot be wider than the corresponding ranges for the Laplace operator on \(\mathbb{R}^n\). The result applies to all sub-Laplacians on Carnot groups and more general sub-Riemannian manifolds, without restrictions on the step. The proof hinges on a Fourier integral representation for the wave propagator associated with \(\mathscr{L}\) and nondegeneracy properties of the sub-Riemannian geodesic flow.