Lorentzian spectral geometry for globally hyperbolic surfaces (Q727678)

If \((M,g)\) is a compact Riemannian manifold, then standard elliptic operator theory shows that a self-adjoint operator of Laplace type has discrete spectrum. In the present paper, the authors present a context in which this theory extends to the Lorentzian signature; it extends the standard elliptic theory to hyperbolic operators. To simplify the discussion, the authors first consider the problem for subsets of the Minkowski plane. They then consider a more general context. \S1.1 introduces the Minkowski drum and \S1.2 summarizes results in this context. \S1.3 deals with Lorentzian surfaces in the massless setting and \S1.4 treats the chiral index and causal fermion systems. In \S2, the authors turn to the massless setting. \S2.1 discusses simple domains, \S2.2 gives a representation as an integral operator, \S2.3 discusses the symmetry of the spectrum, \S2.4 recovers the volume term just as in the standard setting, \S2.5 relates the length of the casual curves to the largest eigenvalue, \S2.6 involves the length of spacelike curves, and \S2.7 gives a reconstruction theorem. In \S3, the authors turn to the massive case. \S3.1 solves the Cauchy problem, \S3.2 gives a regularity result, \S3.3 treats asymptotics of the small eigenvalues, \S3.4 gives a representation as an integral operator, \S3.5 deals with the symmetry of the spectrum, and \S3.6 examines the trace. In \S4, the case of Lorentzian surfaces in the massless case is examined. \S4.1 involves a conformal embedding into Minkowski space, \S4.2 deals with a conformal transformation of the fermonic signature operator, \S4.3 deals with traces which give volume and curvature, and \S4.5 is a reconstruction result. There is a comprehensive and useful bibliography to the subject.