Group Representations, Ergodic Theory, Operator Algebras, and Mathematical Physics

Book excerpt: The Mathematical Sciences Research Institute sponsored a three day conference, May 21-23, 1984 to honor Professor George W. Mackey. The title of the conference, Group Representations, Ergodic Theory, Operator Algebras, and Mathematical Physics, reflects the interests in science that have characterized Professor wide ranging Mackey's work. The conference provided an opportunity for his students, friends and colleagues to honor him and his contributions. The conference was attended by over one hundred people and the participants included five mathematical generations Professor Mackey's mathematical father, Marshall Stone, many mathematical children, grandchildren, and at least one mathematical great-grandchild. This volume is a compendium of the scientific papers presented at the conference plus some additional papers contributed after the conference. The far ranging scope of the various articles is a further indication of the large number of fields that have been affected by Professor Mackey's work. Calvin C. Moore Berkeley, CA Feb, 1986 Table of Contents Preface vi i Ambiguity Functions and Group L. Auslander and Representations R. Tolimieri Kirillov Orbits and Direct Integral Lawrence Corwin 11 Decompositions on Certain Quotient Spaces Some Homotopy and Shape Calculations Edward G. Effors and 69 for C*-Algebras Jerome Kaminker 121 Small Unitary Representations of Roger Howe Classical Groups Dual Vector Spaces Irving Kaplansky 151 Exponential Decay of Correlation Calvin C. Moore 163 Coefficients for Geodesic Flows Lattices in U(n. I) G. D. Mostow Induced Bundles and Nonlinear Irving E. Segal 199 Wave equations Compact Ahelian Aut.