# Closed formula for heat kernel

Is there, similar to the Mehler kernel, a closed formula for the heat kernel of the heat equation associated to the Laplacian $$-\sum_j \frac{d^2}{dx_j^2} + 2\sqrt{-1} \sum_j \lambda_j \frac{d}{dx_j} + \sum_{ij} a_{ij}x_ix_j$$ on $\mathbb{R}^n$? Here, the matrix $(a_{ij})$ is supposed to be symmetric and positive definite, while the $\lambda_j$ can be arbitrary.

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you probably meant $dx_j$ in the second sum above.... –  Suvrit Oct 1 '12 at 9:17

Yes there is. Here is how you do it. First find an orthogonal change in variables

$$x_j=\sum_{jk} s_{jk}y_k$$

$(s_{jk})$ orthogonal matrix, so that in the new coordinates we have

$$\sum_{i,j}a_{ij} x_ix_j = \sum_j \mu_j^2 y_j^2,$$

where $\mu_j^2$ are the eigenvalues of the symmetric matrix $(a_{ij})$.


$$\frac{\pa}{\pa x_k}=\sum_j\frac{\pa y_j}{\pa x_k}\frac{\pa }{\pa y_j} =\sum_j t_{jk}\frac{\pa}{\pa y_j},$$

where $(t_{jk})$ is the inverse of the orthogonal matrix $(s_{jk})$ so that $t_{jk}=s_{kj}$.

Then for some real numbers $r_j$

$$-\sum_j\frac{\pa^2}{\pa x_j^2}+2\ii\sum_j\lambda_j\frac{\pa }{\pa x_j}+\sum_{i,j}a_{ij}x_ix_j$$

$$=-\sum_j\frac{\pa^2}{\pa y_j^2} +2\ii\sum_j r_j\frac{\pa}{\pa y_j} +\sum_j \mu_j^2 y_j^2$$

$$=\underbrace{\sum_j \left(\ii\frac{\pa}{\pa y_j}+r_j\right)^2 +\sum_j\mu_j^2y_j^2-\sum_j r_j^2}_{=: L}.$$

Next set

$$R^2 :=\sum_j r_j^2, \;\; w(t,y) := R^2t +\sum_j \ii r_j y_j,$$

$$L_0 :=\sum_j\left(-\frac{\pa^2}{\pa y_j^2} +\mu_j^2y_j^2\right),$$

and observe that

$$\pa_t +L =e^{w}(\pa_t+L_0) e^{-w}.$$

Thus, if $K$ is a fundamental solution of $\pa_t+L_0$, then

$$(\pa_t +L) (e^{w} K) = e^{w} (\pa_t+L_0)K=e^{w} \delta_0=\delta_0$$

so that $e^{w}K$ is a fundamental solution of $\pa_t+L$. You can find $K$ using Mehler's formula.

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+1: Nice; I learnt something new today :-) –  Suvrit Oct 1 '12 at 9:29
Awesome! thank you! –  Kofi Oct 1 '12 at 10:47
Lars Hörmander did some work on classifying Mehler-type formulas for general quadratic fomrs in $\xi$ and $x$. Take a look at his paper on Math.Zeitschrift 219 (1995) pp.413-449