k/ (k-1)

RADON-FOURIER TRANSFORMS ON SYMMETRIC

SPACES AND RELATED GROUP REPRESENTATIONS 1
lowing property:
kaving boundary BY S. HELGASON
,ing the minimal
Communicated by G. D. Mostow, May 7, 1965
In §2 we announce some results in continuation of [10], connected
<1}, with the Radon transform. §1 deals with tools which also apply to
more general questions and § §2-3 contain some applications to group
representations. A more detailed exposition of §2 appears in Pro-
ceedings of the U. S.-Japan Seminar in Differential Geometry, Kyoto,
's > 0 with the June, 1965.
nanifold of class
1. Radial components of differential operators. Let V be a mani-
4 into Rn having
fold, v a point in V and V, the tangent space to V at v. Let G be a Lie
at
transformation group of V. A C- function f on an open subset of V is
called locally invariant if Xf= 0 for each vector field X on V induced
by the action of G.
. and
Suppose now W is a submanifold of V satisfying the following
and
transversality condition:
(T) For each w E W, V, = W + (G-w) (direct sum).
Iff is a function on a subset of V its restriction to W will be denoted 7.
LEMMA 1.1. Let D be a differential operator on V. Then there exists a
:alculus in the large unique differential operator A(D) on W such that
(Df)- = A(D)f
for each locallyinvariantf.
The operator A(D) is called the radial component of D. Many special
cases have been considered (see e.g. [1, §2], [4, §5], [5, §3], [7, §7],
[8, Chapter IV, §§3-5]).
Suppose now dv (resp. dw) is a positive measure on V (resp. W)
which on any coordinate neighborhood is a nonzero multiple of the
Lebesgue measure. Assume dg is a bi-invariant Haar measure on G.
Given u E Cc (G X W) there exists [7, Theorem 1] a unique
f, G C (G *W) such that

fX . w)u(g, w) dgdw = f F(v)f,(v) dv

F(g
(F C(G W)).

Let Cc (W) denote the function w-+fu(g, w)dg.

CEG
'Work supported in part by the National Science Foundation, NSF GP-2600.
757
758 S. HELGASON [September I965]

THEOREM1.2. Suppose G leaves dv invariant. Let T be a G-invariant the dual space c

distribution on G W. Then there exists a unique distribution T on W Plancherel meas
such that (Harish-Chandrn
creasing functioi
T(¢u) = T(f), u E Cc(G X W). corresponds to
multiplicity) of
If D is a G-invariantdifferentialoperatoron V then ordering given I
eP(kaMN) = exp I
(DT)- = A(D)T.
with base K/M
The proof is partly suggested by the special case considered in [7, suitable function
§9]. See also [12, §4]. restriction to an
determines an o]
2. The Radon transform and conical distributions. Let G be a con- tioned one prov
nected semisimple Lie group, assumed imbedded in its simply con-
nected complexification. Let K be a maximal compact subgroup of THEOREM 2.1.
G and X the symmetric space G/K. Let G=KAN be an Iwasawa
decomposition of G (A abelian, N nilpotent) and let M and M', re- (2)
spectively, denote the centralizer and normalizer of A in K. The space
' of all horocycles in X can be identified with G/MN [10, §3]. Let (3)
D(X) and D(z) denote the algebras of G-invariant differential oper-
ators on X and X, respectively; let S(A) denote the symmetric alge- for allfE Cc (X)
bra over the vector space A and I(A) the set of elements in S(A) If all Cartan
which are invariant under the Weyl group W= M'/M. There are iso- are differential (
morphisms r of D(X) onto I(A) [6, p. 260], [9, p. 432] and of
element in I(A)
D(S) onto S(A) [10, p. 676]. in the form
The Radon transformf- Cj(fE
C (X)) and its dual q- (E C (Z))
are defined by
which is more cc
f() = f(x)dm(x), (x)== (d( (x E X, E ) G is complex a
Graev [2, §5.5].
where dm is the measure on t induced by the canonical Riemannian Let xoand 0o(
structure of X, x is the set of horocycles passing through x and d/ is the B = K/M can be
measure on x invariant under the isotropy subgroup of G at x, satisfy- xo in X. If E= ka
ing IA(x)=1. The easily proved relation is normal to t an
bEB let ,(x, b)
and let A (x, b) c
(1) f(x)(x)d = f f(t)(fdt (fG Cl*(X>,0 C-_(:())
THEOREM 2.2
dx and dS being G-invariant measures on X and 5, respectively, sug-
gests immediately how to extend the integral transforms above to f(, b)=
distributions.
Let @0 and W be the Lie algebras of G and A, respectively, and W9* Then
 [September 1965] RADON-FOURIER TRANSFORMS 759

e a G-invariant the dual space of W. Let X--c(X) be the function on * giving the
bution T on W Plancherel measure I c(X)I -2dX for the K-invariant functions on X
(Harish-Chandra [6, p. 612]). Let j be the operator on rapidly de-
creasing functions on A which under the Fourier transform on A
E Cc(G X W). corresponds to multiplication by c-1. Let p denote the sum (with
multiplicity) of the restricted roots on [ which are positive in the
ordering given by N. Let ep denote the function on Z defined by
eP(kaMN) = exp [p(log a) ] (kCK, aCA). Viewing ' as a fibre bundle
with base K/M, fibre A [10, p. 675] we define the operator A on
)nsidered in [7, suitable functions ¢ on Z by (ePA) I F=j((ePo) F), where I F denotes
restriction to any fibre F. Similarly, the complex conjugate of c-l
determines an operator . By means of the Plancherel formula men-
Let G be a con- tioned one proves (cf. [11, §6]).
.ts simply con-
ct subgroup of THEOREM 2.1. There exist constants c, c' >0 such that
)e an Iwasawa
M and M', re- (2) If(x) dx = c' il Af() 2d,
n K. The space
V [10, §3]. Let (3) f = c(A. )-
fferential oper-
Fmmetric alge- for all f C (X).
nents in S(A)
If all Cartan subgroups of G are conjugate, the operators j and A
There are iso-
are differential operators (c-l is a polynomial). Considering jj is an
432] and P of
element in I(A) we put F] =r-(jj)ED(X). Then (3) can be written
in the form
- (+E C ))
f = cEl (() -) f CC_(X),
which is more convenient for applications [10, §7]. For the case when
G is complex a formula closely related to (3) was given by Gelfand-
Graev [2, §5.5].
al Riemannian Let xoand 40denote the origins in X and Z, respectively. The space
x and d is the B = K/M can be viewed as the set of Weyl chambers emanating from
G at x, satisfy- xo in X. If =ka-o (kCK, aCA) we say that the Weyl chamber kM
is normal to and that a is the complex distance from xo to . If xCX,
bEB let (x, b) be the horocycle with normal b passing through x,
and let A (x, b) denote the complex distance from x0 to (x, b).
C), CC(;))
THEOREM 2.2. For fE C~(X) definethe Fouriertransformf by
pectively, sug-
)rms above to f(x, b) = f(x) exp[(-iX + p)(A(x, b))]dx (x C * , b E B).

tively, and 92* Then

I
760 S. HELGASON [September I9651

In general b,
(4) f() =
*xB
(Xb) exp (i + p)(A(x, b))] c(X) -2dXdb However, we ha
THEOREM 2.4.
f (X) 12d = ,XB
I(X,b) 12 c(x) -2ddb, be defined by (5).
(6) Re
where db is a suitably normalized K-invariant measure on B.
for each restricted
REMARKS. (i) In view of the analogy between horocycles in X and
induced by the 1
hyperplanes in Rn formula (4) corresponds exactly to the Fourier in-
version formula in Rn when written in polar coordinate form.
tribution on Z, is
(ii) If f is a K-invariant function on X, Theorem 2.2 reduces to THEOREM 2.5.
Harish-Chandra's Plancherel formula [6, p. 612]. Nevertheless, t given by (5) wi
Theorem 2.2 can be derived from Harish-Chandra's formula.
(iii) A "plane wave" on X is by definition a function on X which is (7)
constant on each member of a family of parallel horocycles. Writing
(4) in the form DEFINITION.I
called (1) spheric
(4') f(x) = fb(x) db (2) conical if thel
The correspon
we get a continuous decomposition of f into plane waves. On the cal representatio
other hand, if we write (4) in the form situation for :, J
vector space spa:
(4/") f(x) = fx(x)l (X) -2dX natural represent
THEOREM 2.6.
we obtain a decomposition of f into simultaneous eigenfunctions of on ~ onto the set
all DE D(X). tions of G. The m
We now define for Z the analogs of the spherical functions on X. functions and ide
DEFINITION. A distribution (resp. C function) on =G/MN is
called conical if it is (1) MN-invariant; (2) eigendistribution (resp.
eigenfunction) of each DED(Z). where e and e', r
Let o = MN, **=m*MN, where m* is any element in M' such of era and of its t
that the automorphism a--+m*am*- l of A maps p into -p. By the highest weight of:
Bruhat lemma, Z will consist of finitely many MNA-orbits; exactly
one, namely * = MNA .*, has maximum dimension and given COROLLARY 2.'
EZ* there exists a unique element a(t) EA such that EMNa(}) .* tion of G. Then 7r
[10, p. 673]. Using Theorem 1.2 we find: The highest w
THEOREM2.3. Let T be a conical distribution on S. Then there exists acterized by (7).
aPGeC(*) such that T=p on * and a linear function t: I->-Csuch of the spherical r
that 3. The case of
(5) (5())= V,(/*)exp[u(log a(t))] (NE *). of the results of
 [September I965] RADON-FOURIER TRANSFORMS itl
In general I is singular on the lower-dimensional MNA-orbits.
II c(X) -2dXdb
However, we have:
THEOREM 2.4. Let j4: A---C be a linear function and let 4f C°(E*)
be defined by (5). Then 4' is locally integrable on Z if and only if
on B. (6) Re ((a,. + p)) > 0 (Re = real part)

cycles in X and for each restricted root a> 0; here ( , ) denotes the inner product on 2i*
the Fourier in- induced by the Killing form of ®. If (6) is satisfied then {, as a dis-
:e form.
tributionon ~, is a conicaldistribution.
2.2 reduces to THEOREM 2.5. The conical functions on Z are precisely the functions
Nevertheless, a given by (5) where for each restricted root a > O,
rmula.
(I, ) .
1 on X which is (7) -" "~ is an integer>0.
:ycles. Writing (a, a)
DEFINITION. A representation r of G on a vector space E will be
called (1) spherical if there exists a nonzero vector in E fixed by r(K);
(2) conical if there exists a nonzero vector in E fixed by r(MN).
The correspondence between spherical functions on X and spheri-
vaves. On the cal representations is well known. In order to describe the analogous
situation for ~, for an arbitrary function f on ~, let Ek denote the
vector space spanned by the G-translates of 4and let 7r,denote the
natural representation of G on En.

THEOREM 2.6. The mapping 4--try maps the set of conical functions
enfunctions of on onto the set of finite-dimensional, irreducible conical representa-
tions of G. The mapping is one-to-oneif we identify proportional conical
tnctions on X. functions and identify equivalent representations. Also
=G/MN is
:ibution (resp. i,(g o)= (ro(g-1)e, e'),
where e and e', respectively, are contained in the highest weight spaces
it in M' such of rg and of its contragredient representation. Finally, tu in (5) is the
o -p. By the highest weight of iri.
)rbits; exactly
on and given COROLLARY2.7. Let 7rbe a finite-dimensional irreducible representa-
~E MNa() * tion of G. Then wr
is sphericalif and only if it is conical.
The highest weights of these representations are therefore char-
ten there exists acterized by (7). Compare Sugiura [13], where the highest weights
yu: -->C such of the spherical representations are determined.
3. The case of a complex G. If G is complex, M is a torus and some
(VIE "*)- of the results of §2 can be improved. Let . be a Cartan subalgebra
762 S. HELGASON [September I965

of (Dcontaining Wand H the corresponding analytic subgroup of G. 7. , Invaric

Now we assume G simply connected. 309.
8. S. Helgason, 1
Let D(G/N) denote the algebra of all G-invariant differential oper- (1959), 239-299.
ators on GIN. Let o, v*eG/N be constructed similarly as 0oand * 9. ---- , Differe
in §2. Then §1 applies to the submanifold W=H.v* of V=NH.,* 1962.
and for each differential operator D on G/N, A(D) is defined and can 10. , Dualit
be viewed as a differential operator on H. (1963), 667-692.
11. , A duG
THEOREM3.1. The mapping D--A(D) is an isomorphismof D(G/N) form, Bull. Amer. Ma
12. P-D. Methee,
onto the (real) symmetric algebra S(). In particular, D(G/N) is com-
Lorentz, Comment. M
mutative. 13. M. Sugiura, 1
on symmetric spaces, I
As a consequence one finds that the N-invariant eigenfunctions
INSTITUTE FOR Ar
fC C°(G/N) of all DCD(G/N) have a representation analogous to
(5) in terms of the characters of H. Let Ef denote the vector space
spanned by the G-translates of f and let 7rfbe the natural representa-
tion of G on Ef. I

THEOREM 3.2. The mapping f-->rf is a one-to-one mapping of the

set of N-invariant holomorphic eigenfunctions of all DED(G/N) (pro-
portional f identified) onto the set of all finite-dimensional2 irreducible
holomorphic representations of G (equivalent representations identified).
Moreover
f(g o) = (rf(g-1)e, e'),
where e and e', respectively, are contained in the highest weight spaces
of crfand of its contragredientrepresentation.

REFERENCES
1. F. A. Berezin, Laplace operatorson semisimple Lie groups, Trudy Moskov.
Mat. Ob. 6 (1957), 371-463; Amer. Math. Soc. Transl. 21 (1962), 239-299.
2. I. M. Gelfand and M. I. Graev, The geometry of homogeneous spaces, group
representations in homogeneous spaces and questions in integral geometry related to them.
I, Trudy Moskov. Mat. ObgW.8 (1959), 321-390;Amer. Math. Soc. Transl. 37 (1964),
351-429.
3. R. Godement, A theory of spherical functions. I, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 73
(1952), 496-556.
4. Harish-Chandra, The charactersof semisimple Lie groups, Trans. Amer. Math.
Soc. 83 (1956), 98-163.
5. - , Differential operatorson a semisimple Lie algebra,Amer. J. Math. 79
(1957), 87-120.
6. ~, Sphericalfunctions on a semisimple Lie group. I, II, Amer. J. Math. 80
(1958), 241-310, 553-613.
2 Compare the problem indicated in 3, p. 553].
 I

[September I9651 RADON-FOURIER TRANSFORMS 763

*subgroup of G.

lifferential oper-
Arlyas 6oand *
of V=NH.v*
defined and can

hism of D(G/N)
309.
7.

1962.
10. ~,
, Invariant distributions on Lie algebras,Amer. J. Math. 86 (1964), 271-

8. S. Helgason, Differential operators on homogeneous spaces, Acta Math. 102

(1959), 239-299.
9. ~, Differential geometry and symmetric spaces, Academic Press, New York,

Duality and Radon transformfor symmetric spaces, Amer. J. Math. 85

(1963), 667-692.
11. -- , A duality in integralgeometry;some generalizationsof the Radon trans.
form, Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 70 (1964), 435-446.
12. P-D. Methee, Sur les distributions invariantes dans le groupe des rotations de
D(G/N) is com-
Lorentz, Comment. Math. Helv. 28 (1954), 225-269.
13. M. Sugiura, Representationsof compact groups realized by sphericalfunctions
on symmetric spaces, Proc. Japan Acad. 38 (3) (1962), 111-113.
: eigenfunctions
rn analogous to INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY

he vector space
ural representa-

mapping of the
_D(G/N) (pro-
nal2 irreducible
,ions identified).

,st weight spaces

s, Trudy Moskov.
), 239-299.
zeous spaces, group
etry related to them.
:. Transl. 37 (1964),

ner. Math. Soc. 73

rans. Amer. Math.

Amer. J. Math. 79

Amer. J. Math. 80

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