Spherical Harmonics Author(s): R. T. Seeley Source: The American Mathematical Monthly, Vol. 73, No.

4, Part 2: Papers in Analysis (Apr., 1966), pp. 115-121 Published by: Mathematical Association of America Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2313760 . Accessed: 19/04/2013 01:05
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SPHERICAL
R. T. SEELEY,

HARMONICS
Brandeis University

The object of the presentarticle is to give a concise and elementaryexposiand some estition of sphericalharmonics,includingthe Funk-Hecke-theorem, mates of theirderivativesin absolute value and in L2 norm. By elementary,we mean independentof any knowledgeof special functions.In fact, the firsttwo theoremsrequireonly Green's formulaforthe Laplacian and a littlelinear algebra. Our proof of the Funk-Hecke theorem relies on approximation of an integrable function by a continuousone, and of a continuousfunctionby a polynomial. Theorem 4, estimating the derivatives of spherical harmonics, uses Leibniz's formula for the derivative of a product in several variables, and Theorem 5, concerningthe expansion of a C? functionin spherical harmonics uses a densitytheorem.Thus this article may serve those who would like to use spherical harmonicswithout presupposingspecial functions,and to those who wish to present to their students some applications of the results mentioned above. Theorems 1, 2, and 3 are covered in the standard reference[I], and Theorem 4b in [2 . We consider the harmonicson Sn-1,the unit sphere in Rn, whose volume is denoted Sn- 1 (x, y) is the inner product in Rn, and x 2= (x, x). We denote by A the Laplacian in Rn, Ag= 1 a2g/94 of a self We show that the sphericalharmonicsare the eigenfunctions -adjoint operator,the Laplacian on the unit sphere. In general, a smooth hypersurface A in the following S in Rn has a Laplacian whichis derivedfrom way. Given any F the extension which with on on function consider f S, and is conagrees S, f stant along the lines normalto S. Then the Laplacian off is obtained by restricting AF to the originalsurfaceS. In particular,when S is the unit sphere we obtain the Laplacian As as follows.
DEFINITION 1. Iff is a function on Sn- 1, thenEof(x) =f(x/1 x| ) for x#O. If to Sn-1. Then Asf in a neighborhood g is defined of Sn-1, Rg is its restriction
-RAEof.

of degreek if F(tx) = tkF(x) for each t>0; this A functionF is homogeneous of a polynomial. It is easy to show that agrees with the notion of homogeneity if F is homogeneousof degree k, then 9F/9x1is homogeneousof degree k-1. In particular,in Definition1, Eof is homogeneous of degree zero, and so AEof is homogeneousof degree -2. We exploit this in the proofof Lemma 1.
LEMMA

1. f

n-IfAsg =fsfn-lgAsf.

Proof. Let F

of F and G, and the Eof and G = Eog. Using the homogeneity 115

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116

PAPERS IN ANALYSIS

fact that the volume element dx is r'l-ldo (with r ment on Sn-1), we have
frn-3
1

|x x and do the volunme ele-

dr

f
,,Sa-1

(gAsf- fAsg)do=

-=

I xl C 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<

(GAF -FAG)
-

lX_2

(GOFIOr- FOGIOr)

dx (GOFIOr - FOG/Or),

Il=:l

of degree zero, OFI Orand by G;reen'stheorem.Since F and G are homiogeineous followAs. aGlar vanish and the lenmma

on Sn-I, then AF(x)=k(k+n-2) IX

LE_MMA

2. IfJF is homogeneouls of degreek, i.e. F(x)

f k-2f9(XI

|)+

|k--2Asf(xI IXI). XI

x I 'If( xl xfor )

somef

The proofis a straightforwTard verification, but may be eased by a fewA generalities. First, A(HG) :HAG+2VH VG+GAH; we apply this with H(x) xI-, and G=Evf. Second, with this H and G, VH is perpendicularto the x sphere I x constant,and VG is tangentialto that sphere,so VIP VG= 0. Since | ) = ofdegree-2, | X I k-2ASf(XI I X , and it remains AEofis homiogeneotus I X I kAEof I 1 only to show that A( XI ) =hk(k+-n-2) xI k-2, We leave this to the reader, and consider Lemma 2 established.
REMAARK.

For a functionF homiogeneous of degree k,

k(k + t - 2)r-2F + r-2AsF = r1',(O Or)(rn1OF1Or) + r-2AsF, fromwhich it folloNws that this last expression (being independentof k) is the polar coordinate formof A. Thus As is the "angular" part of the expressionfor A in polar coordinates,and e.g. when n =1, Al 2/ 062, and when n=2 ASF == -1

sin

07 OF\ 1 - sin4 +2 O sin I0 _ do

02F
O02 0

We do not rely,however,on these explicitexpressionsforAs.

2. Pk denotes DEFINITION thespace ofpolynomialsof degree< k, and P' those k. HI-denotes homogeneouts ofdegree thespace ofharmonic polynomials homogeneouts ofdegree k, thatis thesoltutions p in Pk ofAp = O. LEMMA

3. If p P" and fs5nIpq =0 for all q in PZl2, thenp is harmonic.

wAre

Proof. If qCP`,

see by Lemmas 1 and 2 that

fqAp

k(k + n -2)
p[r2Aq
-

f
-

pq+
2)(k +

qASp =

qAsp

pAsq

(k

4-4)q] = 0,

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SPHERICAL HARMONICS

11 7

r2AqEP`j2.

equatlitieshold since q and all integralsbeing over SI-1; the second and fifth we take forq the complex conjugate of AP. 3 followsw-hen Lemmiia
DEFINITION

restrictions to S-'

3. SHK, thespace of sphericalharmonics ofdegreek, is R(H'k), the

of theharmonicpolynomialsof degreek.

As with eigenvaitc THEOREMI 1. (a) SHk is a space oJ eigenfitnctions oJf withrespectto theinner proditct (b) SHJ and SH k are orthogonal -k(k+n-2). (p q) = fs-Pp, whenj#k. (c) R(Pk) is thedirectsutm/C=o SH'. =k(n+k-2)Rp+AsRp, by Lemma 1 we have
0
=

ProoJ. If p C Hk, then \e have froml Lemilma 2 that, oni SI'-',

for -which proves (a). Then (b) follows iimmiiiediately;

+ t
-

0 = AP

(Asp, q) - (p, Asq) = [-j(j

2) + k(k +

i -

2)](p, 1).

R(Pk) C Then for (c) it suffices to show\\ P?= HO. In general, we have
R(Pk)
=

Z1=o SH1. This is clear for k = 0, since

R(PLl)

+ R

p 4p:

Pi, and

p=

for all q

in

Pk}

whichbelongs to R(Pk-1)
THEOREM

+R(Hk)

by Leiimia 3. Thus (c) is proved by induction. =O(k ?-2

2. dim(SHk) = (2k+n-2)(n+k-3)!/k!(n-2)!

Proof. Let dk,, denote the dimension of P'. Separating the mononlials of x., x ) into those divisible by x,,and those not divisible by x,,, degree k in (xi, we get dk,,=dk-l,l n+dk,n1 , and clearly dk,1 = 1, and do,= 1. Thus by induction on k+n,
Now it is easy to see that R(Pk) is the direct sumll of R(P7) and R(PI-'); for if p Pi then p is odd or even \ith j, so R(Pk)GnR(Pj-') =0; and R(p) =R(r2p), with r(x) = x . Further, R is an isomorphism on P7 (by homogeneity).Finally,
fromiTheorem t(c), we get dk,,=

(n+k-t)!/k!(n-t)!.

dim(SHk) = dim R(Pk)

which proves Theorem 2.

dim R(Pk-l) =

dk,n

+ dI1_1,

(dk-1,I

+ dk_2,n),

THEOREM 3. (FUNK-HECKE S,1,StSHl, then

THEOREM).

If f1 FI (t) (1 -t2) (,,-3I)2dt <

x,

and

ns-1

F((KT,'q))Sm(.i) du = S..)

ISI-2

Can(1)-1
-1

F(t)Cmd(t)(1 -

t2) (-3)/2

dt,

with X = 2n - 1. (The fact that C,, where C,,(t) is the Gegenbatner polynomial CxG(t) is a Gegenbauer polynomial will not be used in this paper, but it is useful in

evaluating integrals.)

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118

PAPERS

IN ANALYSIS

Proof. Let S3, , S7t,be an orthonormalbasis of SH, n, and set f(o-, ) Then fmis independentof the choice of SJ2;if T, is another ZS.2l(of)SitQ). Z 7-tn(of) basis, for a unitary mnatrix (gh.2), anud (a) Ttg =fm (o, q). Confor orthogonal 0 ofJ1. I--lence transformation sequientlyf,,(Oo-, =fm(fo-, Orq) any q) on for K if is there a 0 such that rotation f7(o, q) depends only (o, 77); -) (a', ), (o-, O= and O=Jo. We define C... by CG(~(o, Since the 7). =f,,(a, S,, may be -7)) taken to be real, it followsthat C...is real. The Ftunk-Hecke theoremi depeindson the propertiesof C, w -hichare established below-. of f,,,(, -q),anld the fact that SH", is orthogonalto the definition First, fronm
T7t,
= g/;JsJ

SHJ w-henk#rn, we have (1)

smQ(7)

?n

Ck((07, -q))Sm(o-) do,

when S,, CSHm; here b is the Kronecker3. is a polynomiiial of degree m. To see this, let Second, w-eshow that Cm, a =(ai, , a) be an nt-tuple of integers ?0, and a = ai =x, axl | (X is a harmonic we have XCn. Since I x | Ix I...C", polynomial, m(xil I ) (xi/ x ) 0, 0) and X (cos 0, -sin 0, 0, Z1a?rm a,,x= P(x). Settingx =(cos 0, sin 0, 0, so get C',,cos 0) =P(x) =P(), 0) wAe
-

C,(cos

0)

1
2

[ P(X) + P()I

1
2

E
|

c I =IIz

a.(cos 0>)a[(sin

O)a2

(-sin

0)a2j.

Since (sin 0)a2+(-sin of degree 0)a2 vanishes when a2 iS odd, it is a polynomlial in cos 0, and so Cm(cos0) is a polynomial in cos 0 of degree ?m. <a2 In fact, Cm is a Gegenbauer polynomial. For fixed q, C,,((o-, 7)) ESH'M
thus |x| mCm(Xi =R(Hm); lx) x )) =0 leads to (| x IC,(,(x1l is a harmonic polynom-iial. WAritingout

(1 - t2)C"$(t)+ (1 -u)tC'f

1) + m(m+

which is the equation of the Gegenbauer polynomial CG (t) with A= n- . (See = const*GC [1].) Since this differential equation is singular at t= ? 1, Cm(t) (t), since Cmis a polynomial. Third, the Ct,, are orthogonal on [-l , l1 with respect to the weight (1 -t2)(n-3)'2dt. This may be derived from their differential equation, but we so that by Theorem 1(b), are sphericalharmonicsofdegreesm and k respectively (2)
Sn-1

it

2)C,,(t) =

0,

may also observe that when q is a fixed point in SI-',

C1n((,

q)) and Ck((-, 77))

77))Ck Cm(KoY, (KO-q)) do=0

S t-2
-1

Cm (t)Ck()(1

12)(nt-3)/2di

when

m # k.

Now from (1), no Ck vanishes identically; and by the orthogonalityjust

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SPHERICAL

HARMONICS

119

} are linearlyindependent.Since Ck has degree < k, it fol,? C shown, { Co, lows by inductionon m that Cmhas degree m exactly. Fourth, fromformula 1 and the fact that for fixedq, Cm(( , 77))CSHm, we have
Cm(M) = CM((q, 7))

(3) Sn 2

Cm((Gi, 7))Cm((<, '1)) do-

Cm(t)2(1 -

t2)(n3)/2dt.

followseasily. First,the conditionf. I F(t) ( 1 t2)(--3)/2dt< o Now the theorem implies thereis a sequence Fj of functionscontinuouson [-1, I1 such that F( -(t F(t)I (1
-

t2)(-3'2d-

o,

and hence also fsn-I FK, )) - F((, 7)) |S (a) do-O; so we. may take F continuous.Since f1 (I -t2) (n-3)2dt < oo, we may in the same way replace F by a polynomialapproximatingF uniformly. Supposing F is a polynomialof degree k, we have (since Cj is a polynomial of degreej) that F=-L ajC. From the relation (2) and the normalization(3), we have orthogonality

| Sn-2 1 C,(1)-1

FJ (1 F(t)Cj(t)

t2)(n-3)

12

dt.

Then the theoremfollowsimmediatelyfrom (1). h-=dim(SHm)

SinCm((n

COROLLARY. If
?7)).

< ShmSn-Ifs-' 2? Sm SHm, then Sm(i) 1 (2m+n-2) (n +m-3) !/m!(n-2)!. Equality

SmI2 where holds when

Proof. By (1), | SmQq)2?fCm(Qr pendent of -, we have

))2do is inden)2dofI Sm| 12 Since fCmG((U,

Cm ((U

a,2 do,=

Sn II -1
is
Sn $-1

dcrd cm((Cyalq,2

1F E
11

fJ

SM(9)Sm()Sm(o)Sm(q) f

drdq

THEOREM

4. (a) Thereare constants Bk, sicihthat

f-1|

Dap| 2<

(Bia,n)21M2Ia

fs,-1|p

2 for every p in Hm.

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120

PAPERS

IN ANALYSIS

(b) Thereare constantsCk,nsitchthat

DaSm(x

2 <

(Ca

2 ,Y)221a1-

2+n

SY

for S,, in SH..;

here Da=ajaj

(Ox1)a.

(Ox,)ja,, I al = a,+

* +a,.

k+ 1, 1. Suppose that Bk,n has been found,aindlet Ia VD/3p of the gradient = of the components is one Dap Then and fj3-?a, f31 k, is harmonic, that , aD-plOx?). We know, since p (OD-plOx1,
Proof. Clearly B0,= 0

Ix I_ 1

(ADOp)(DOfi)

f
|XI

VDflp, + VD"fp)
1 sn -1

(Dfip)a(Dgp) 0r. and O(DOp) Or

VDOp) is honmogeneous of degree 2m-2k-2 Since KVDOp, -(mr-k) r-1D-Op,we have

fSnl
sn -1

Dap

2 <

KVD'p, VD3p) =
1,

sn-I

(m- k)(n + 2m -2k

2)
(Bk, n)2m2kf p

2)

D3p

12

Sn-1

(m - k)(n + 2m -2k-

12

which provides Bk+l?,, proving (a). From part (a) and the Corollary of Theorem 3, we see, for p in Hrn and x =1, that
1

(Dap) (x) 2 <

<

m[lal

Sn-1 -1

Dap

(BIaI,n)2M2IaIh_IcarI

Sn-1

-1

p 2 <

j2l (B' [,n)2ilnaI??2

p 2;

hm-lal

x -mp(x) DaSm(xl

in Theorem 2. Finally, is estimated for a p in Hm, and so

if SmfClSHm we have

S,,(xl

xl)

I x I)

?
)3+,y=a

(a!flO!y!)

Dflr-m Dyp

<

(a!

!y!)C1A1mlIBl ,[, lmIz[?nI21

< Ca1,n1l1aI-1+n/2
Here we have used Leibniz's Finally, as an application

(f

(Ji p 1

2)1/2

S. 2)
Z3?+,=a(a!!/3!'y!)D'3fD-g. 4, we give (see [2])

formula Da(fg)= of Theorem

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A CHARACTERIZATION

OF THE

EXPONENTIAL

SERIES

121

;k=O, 1, THEOREM 5. Letf beintegrable on Sn ,let { Sm,}(m = O, 1, = dim(SHin). setofsphericalharmonics, k,and hm hm) bean orthonormal Smofdegree Let a1k =fS-l1fSm. Then thereis a C? functiong, g =f a.e., if and only if amk r. O(m-r) for every Proof. If g exists, then
amk
=

mr(m + n ?M

2)-

2M g(As)rSk = m (m +

-r (m+n

2)

-r rJ .12)/ (f4g~)

f( Sg)M

Conversely,if amk 0 (m-r) forevery r, then by Theorems 2 and 4, EamkSt5 functiong. Since fsn-(g-f)Sm=O for all m and k, we have convergesto a CGi from Theorem 1(c) that fs5-(g-f)p = O for every polynomial p. Standard densityresultsyield f-g = 0 a.e.
The preparationof this paper was supported in part by an NSF grant at Brandeis University. References 1. A. Erdelyi, ed., Higher Transcendental Functions, vol. 2, New York, 1953. 2. A. P. Calder6n and A. Zygmund, Singular integral operators and differential equations, Amer. J. Math., 79 (1957) 901-921.

A CHARACTERIZATION

OF THE EXPONENTIAL
Universityof Kentucky

SERIES

J. D. BUCKHOLTZ,

large positive integersn, K. S. K. Iyengar [4] has shown For all sufficiently z _ ne-2 contains no zero of E'=0 zP/p!, the nth partial sum of that the disc ez. The main purpose of this note is to show that this fact for series the power series. the exponential characterizes twostateTHEOREM 1. Suppose that EP=0 apzPis a powerseries. Thefollowing are equivalent: ments n, Lp=0 avpz integer positive c such that forevery (i) Thereis a positivenumber has no zeroin thedisc I z < nc, (ii) anO , and 5p= a,zP is thepowerseriesfor aO exp (alz/ao). Then
1)

It followsfrom [4] that (ii) implies (i). Suppose now that (i) is true. Proof.
Xt <S I a o/an

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