Special functions of mathematical (geo-)physics (Q691699)

This impressive book gives a collection of useful results on special functions in a condensed form. The starting point is the statement that a gravitational field is curl-free and a magnetic field is divergence-free. This leads to the Navier-Stokes equation, which has divergence-free vector solutions. The book begins with some elementary considerations about the gamma function and orthogonal polynomials in Chapters 2 and 3. It is known that separation of variables for the Laplace equation can be carried out for many orthogonal coordinates [\textit{P. Moon} and \textit{D. E. Spencer}, Field Theory Handbook. [Berlin-Göttingen-Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag (1961; Zbl 0097.39403)]. The separation of variables for the Laplace equation in spherical coordinates, suitable for geophysics, leads to the spherical harmonics, the main part of Chapters 4 and 5. The distinction of these into two kinds of functions, scalar and vectorial spherical harmonics, leads to a seemingly new theory, quite different in style compared to Hobsons book [\textit{E. W. Hobson}, The theory of spherical and ellipsoidal harmonics. Cambridge: Univ. Press (1931; Zbl 0004.21001)]. In Chapter 6, an algorithm for a basis of the space of spherical harmonics of degree \(n\) and dimension \(q\), written in C is given. The applications of these spherical harmonics is briefly summarized at the beginning of this chapter. The generalized Cauchy-Riemann equations for quaternions according to Füter and the corresponding spherical harmonics are briefly considered. The radial part of the separation of variables for the Helmholtz equation in cylindrical coordinates leads to Bessel functions, the main part of Chapter 7. Various generalizations of Chapters 7 and 9 to \(q\) dimensions are given in Chapters 8 and 10. The applications are usually given in exercises. There are many beautiful pictures (in colour) in the book; one of them, on page 221, illustrates the Helmholtz decomposition theorem for vectorial spherical harmonics. The book is written on a quite high level mathematically, and more geophysical examples could have been included. Also, a symbol index would have been useful.