The Pompeiu problem revisited (Q756074)

Let X be a locally compact Hausdorff space and G a group of homeomorphisms of X each of which leaves a given non-negative Radon measure \(\mu\) invariant. A relatively compact measurable subset E of X is said to have the Pompeiu property if for a continuous function f on X, \(\int_{gE}f(x)d\mu (x)=0\) for all \(g\in G\) implies \(f\equiv 0.\) The Pompeiu problem is to characterize the subsets with the Pompeiu property. One of the central results connected with the Pompeiu problem is a theorem of Brown, Schreiber and Taylor. Using some old work of the authors on spectral synthesis, a new proof of this result is given. Though separately dealt with, it is shown that some of the main results for the Pompeiu problem for non-Euclidean symmetric spaces can also be treated in the same spirit. In all cases the role of representations of the underlying group of isometries is essential. This point of view leads to some new results for the Pompeiu problem for two sided translations on the non-commutative groups SL(2,R) and the 2-dimensional Euclidean motion group M(2). Finally, a brief discussion is provided for some related problems.