/- Copyright (c) 2026 Michael R. Douglas. All rights reserved. Released under Apache 2.0 license as described in the file LICENSE. # Future: Mehler kernel eigenfunction expansion This statement is NOT an active axiom. It is parked here as a future proof target. The axiom `mehlerKernel_eq_series` remains in `HeatKernel/PositionKernel.lean` (which is off the main build path) and is only used by the cylinder QFT heat kernel, not by the lattice approach used by pphi2. ## Statement The Mehler kernel (closed-form heat kernel of H = -d²/dx² + x²) equals its Hermite eigenfunction expansion: mehlerKernel t x₁ x₂ = Σₙ exp(-t(2n+1)) ψₙ(x₁) ψₙ(x₂) where ψₙ are the L²-normalized Hermite functions. ## Proof strategies ### Approach A: Generating function identity 1. Mehler's formula is equivalent to a generating function identity for Hermite functions. Write both sides as power series in `r = exp(-2t)` and show coefficients match. 2. The Hermite functions satisfy `ψₙ(x) = (2ⁿ n! √π)^{-1/2} Hₙ(x) exp(-x²/2)` where Hₙ are the (physicists') Hermite polynomials. 3. The key identity is: `Σₙ rⁿ Hₙ(x) Hₙ(y) / (2ⁿ n!) = (1-r²)^{-1/2} exp(2rxy/(1+r) - r²(x²+y²)/(1-r²))` 4. Rearrange to get the Mehler kernel closed form. This is a purely combinatorial/analytic identity, not blocked by deep Mathlib gaps, but requires substantial special-function computation. ### Approach B: Heat equation uniqueness 1. Show the Mehler kernel satisfies the heat equation `∂K/∂t = -HK` with initial condition `K(0,x₁,x₂) = δ(x₁-x₂)`. 2. Show the eigenfunction expansion also satisfies the same PDE + IC. 3. By uniqueness of solutions (Widder's theorem or energy estimates), they agree. ### Mathlib prerequisites - **Hermite polynomials**: `Mathlib.Analysis.SpecialFunctions.Polynomials.HermitePhysicist` exists with basic properties but NOT the generating function. - **Hermite functions** (L² normalized): defined in this project (`SchwartzNuclear/HermiteFunctions.lean`) with sup bounds and orthonormality, but the generating function / completeness relation is not proved. - **Generating function for Hermite polynomials**: NOT in Mathlib. This is the core mathematical identity. ~200-400 LOC to prove from scratch. - For Approach B: heat equation uniqueness in L² is partially available but the position-space formulation would need work. ### Difficulty Hard. ~400-700 LOC. The generating function identity for Hermite polynomials is the key ingredient, not blocked by deep Mathlib gaps but requires substantial special-function computation. ### Dependents Used by 6 proofs in `HeatKernel/PositionKernel.lean`: - `mehlerKernel_reproduces_hermite` — eigenfunction reproduction - `mehlerKernel_semigroup` — semigroup property K_s * K_t = K_{s+t} - `cylinderHeatKernel_eq_series` — cylinder kernel factorization - Various integrability/bound lemmas All dependents are in the cylinder QFT path, not used by pphi2. ## References - Mehler (1866), "Ueber die Entwicklung einer Function" - Reed-Simon, "Methods of Modern Mathematical Physics" Vol. II §X.12 - Erdélyi et al., "Higher Transcendental Functions" Vol. 2 Ch. 10 -/ -- This file is intentionally not imported by any active module. -- It serves as documentation for future proof targets.