Analysis And Geometry Of Markov Diffusion Operators

The present volume is an extensive monograph on the analytic and geometric aspects of Markov diffusion operators. It focuses on the geometric curvature properties of the underlying structure in order to study convergence to equilibrium, spectral bounds, functional inequalities such as Poincaré, Sobolev or logarithmic Sobolev inequalities, and various bounds on solutions of evolution equations. At the same time, it covers a large class of evolution and partial differential equations. The book is intended to serve as an introduction to the subject and to be accessible for beginning and advanced scientists and non-specialists. Simultaneously, it covers a wide range of results and techniques from the early developments in the mid-eighties to the latest achievements. As such, students and researchers interested in the modern aspects of Markov diffusion operators and semigroups and their connections to analytic functional inequalities, probabilistic convergence to equilibrium and geometric curvature will find it especially useful. Selected chapters can also be used for advanced courses on the topic.

Stochastic differential equations, and Hoermander form representations of diffusion operators, can determine a linear connection associated to the underlying (sub)-Riemannian structure. This is systematically described, together with its invariants, and then exploited to discuss qualitative properties of stochastic flows, and analysis on path spaces of compact manifolds with diffusion measures. This should be useful to stochastic analysts, especially those with interests in stochastic flows, infinite dimensional analysis, or geometric analysis, and also to researchers in sub-Riemannian geometry. A basic background in differential geometry is assumed, but the construction of the connections is very direct and itself gives an intuitive and concrete introduction. Knowledge of stochastic analysis is also assumed for later chapters.

As in the previous Seminar Notes, the current volume reflects general trends in the study of Geometric Aspects of Functional Analysis. Most of the papers deal with different aspects of Asymptotic Geometric Analysis, understood in a broad sense; many continue the study of geometric and volumetric properties of convex bodies and log-concave measures in high-dimensions and in particular the mean-norm, mean-width, metric entropy, spectral-gap, thin-shell and slicing parameters, with applications to Dvoretzky and Central-Limit-type results. The study of spectral properties of various systems, matrices, operators and potentials is another central theme in this volume. As expected, probabilistic tools play a significant role and probabilistic questions regarding Gaussian noise stability, the Gaussian Free Field and First Passage Percolation are also addressed. The historical connection to the field of Classical Convexity is also well represented with new properties and applications of mixed-volumes. The interplay between the real convex and complex pluri-subharmonic settings continues to manifest itself in several additional articles. All contributions are original research papers and were subject to the usual refereeing standards.

This established reference work continues to provide its readers with a gateway to some of the most interesting developments in contemporary geometry. It offers insight into a wide range of topics, including fundamental concepts of Riemannian geometry, such as geodesics, connections and curvature; the basic models and tools of geometric analysis, such as harmonic functions, forms, mappings, eigenvalues, the Dirac operator and the heat flow method; as well as the most important variational principles of theoretical physics, such as Yang-Mills, Ginzburg-Landau or the nonlinear sigma model of quantum field theory. The present volume connects all these topics in a systematic geometric framework. At the same time, it equips the reader with the working tools of the field and enables her or him to delve into geometric research. The 7th edition has been systematically reorganized and updated. Almost no page has been left unchanged. It also includes new material, for instance on symplectic geometry, as well as the Bishop-Gromov volume growth theorem which elucidates the geometric role of Ricci curvature. From the reviews:“This book provides a very readable introduction to Riemannian geometry and geometric analysis... With the vast development of the mathematical subject of geometric analysis, the present textbook is most welcome.” Mathematical Reviews “For readers familiar with the basics of differential geometry and some acquaintance with modern analysis, the book is reasonably self-contained. The book succeeds very well in laying out the foundations of modern Riemannian geometry and geometric analysis. It introduces a number of key techniques and provides a representative overview of the field.” Monatshefte für Mathematik

This book grew out of the Random Transformations and Invariance in Stochastic Dynamics conference held in Verona from the 25th to the 28th of March 2019 in honour of Sergio Albeverio. It presents the new area of studies concerning invariance and symmetry properties of finite and infinite dimensional stochastic differential equations.This area constitutes a natural, much needed, extension of the theory of classical ordinary and partial differential equations, where the reduction theory based on symmetry and invariance of such classical equations has historically proved to be very important both for theoretical and numerical studies and has given rise to important applications. The purpose of the present book is to present the state of the art of the studies on stochastic systems from this point of view, present some of the underlying fundamental ideas and methods involved, and to outline the main lines for future developments. The main focus is on bridging the gap between deterministic and stochastic approaches, with the goal of contributing to the elaboration of a unified theory that will have a great impact both from the theoretical point of view and the point of view of applications. The reader is a mathematician or a theoretical physicist. The main discipline is stochastic analysis with profound ideas coming from Mathematical Physics and Lie’s Group Geometry. While the audience consists essentially of academicians, the reader can also be a practitioner with Ph.D., who is interested in efficient stochastic modelling.

Articles from many of the main contributors to recent progress in stochastic analysis are included in this volume, which provides a snapshot of the current state of the area and its ongoing developments. It constitutes the proceedings of the conference on "Stochastic Analysis and Applications" held at the University of Oxford and the Oxford-Man Institute during 23-27 September, 2013. The conference honored the 60th birthday of Professor Terry Lyons FLSW FRSE FRS, Wallis Professor of Mathematics, University of Oxford. Terry Lyons is one of the leaders in the field of stochastic analysis. His introduction of the notion of rough paths has revolutionized the field, both in theory and in practice. Stochastic Analysis is the branch of mathematics that deals with the analysis of dynamical systems affected by noise. It emerged as a core area of mathematics in the late 20th century and has subsequently developed into an important theory with a wide range of powerful and novel tools, and with impressive applications within and beyond mathematics. Many systems are profoundly affected by stochastic fluctuations and it is not surprising that the array of applications of Stochastic Analysis is vast and touches on many aspects of life. The present volume is intended for researchers and Ph.D. students in stochastic analysis and its applications, stochastic optimization and financial mathematics, as well as financial engineers and quantitative analysts.

This book presents the latest developments in the theory of gradient flows in random walk spaces. A broad framework is established for a wide variety of partial differential equations on nonlocal models and weighted graphs. Within this framework, specific gradient flows that are studied include the heat flow, the total variational flow, and evolution problems of Leray-Lions type with different types of boundary conditions. With many timely applications, this book will serve as an invaluable addition to the literature in this active area of research. Variational and Diffusion Problems in Random Walk Spaces will be of interest to researchers at the interface between analysis, geometry, and probability, as well as to graduate students interested in exploring these areas.

The book covers the latest research in the areas of mathematics that deal the properties of partial differential equations and stochastic processes on spaces in connection with the geometry of the underlying space. Written by experts in the field, this book is a valuable tool for the advanced mathematician.