We study nonlinear concentration problems for time-frequency distributions in the Cohen class. Using recent techniques from quantum harmonic analysis (QHA) we provide both positive and negative results, such as sufficient conditions for the existence of optimizers in terms of the ``window operator'' and explicit examples where the supremum is never attained. We also study the structural properties of window operators, in particular operators that yield weakly continuous concentration functionals and operators for which the nonlinear concentration problem admits an optimizer, also beyond the Heisenberg representation. We then consider generalizations to the study of concentration problems for phase space representations of operators. We consider generalized Husimi distributions via quantum convolution, and their optimization problem when optimizing over Hilbert--Schmidt and density operators. Lastly, we consider representations of operators on double phase space, in the spirit of quantum time-frequency analysis, and give a full solution in terms of the Weyl symbols.We study nonlinear concentration problems for time-frequency distributions in the Cohen class. Using recent techniques from quantum harmonic analysis (QHA) we provide both positive and negative results, such as sufficient conditions for the existence of optimizers in terms of the ``window operator'' and explicit examples where the supremum is never attained. We also study the structural properties of window operators, in particular operators that yield weakly continuous concentration functionals and operators for which the nonlinear concentration problem admits an optimizer, also beyond the Heisenberg representation. We then consider generalizations to the study of concentration problems for phase space representations of operators. We consider generalized Husimi distributions via quantum convolution, and their optimization problem when optimizing over Hilbert--Schmidt and density operators. Lastly, we consider representations of operators on double phase space, in the spirit of quantum time-frequency analysis, and give a full solution in terms of the Weyl symbols.

arXiv:2605.28786May 27, 20260 citations

The metaplectic semigroup and its applications to time-frequency analysis and evolution operators

Gianluca Giacchi, Luigi Rodino, Davide Tramontana

We develop a systematic analysis of the metaplectic semigroup $\mathrm{Mp}_+(d,\mathbb{C})$ associated with positive complex symplectic matrices, a notion introduced almost simultaneously and independently by Hörmander, Brunet, Kramer, and Howe, thereby extending the classical metaplectic theory beyond the unitary setting. While the existing literature has largely focused on propagators of quadratic evolution equations, for which results are typically obtained via Mehler formulas, our approach is operator-theoretic and symplectic in spirit and adapts techniques from the standard metaplectic group $\mathrm{Mp}(d,\mathbb{R})$ to a substantially broader framework that is not driven by differential problems or particular propagators. This point of view provides deeper insight into the structure of the metaplectic semigroup, and allows us to investigate its generators, polar decomposition, and intertwining relations with complex conjugation and with the Wigner distribution. We then exploit these structural results to characterize, from a metaplectic perspective, classes of time-frequency representations satisfying prescribed structural properties. Finally, we discuss further implications for parabolic equations with complex quadratic Hamiltonians, we study the boundedness of their propagators on modulation spaces, we obtain estimates in time of their operator norms. Finally, we apply our theory to the study of propagation of Wigner singularities.We develop a systematic analysis of the metaplectic semigroup $\mathrm{Mp}_+(d,\mathbb{C})$ associated with positive complex symplectic matrices, a notion introduced almost simultaneously and independently by Hörmander, Brunet, Kramer, and Howe, thereby extending the classical metaplectic theory beyond the unitary setting. While the existing literature has largely focused on propagators of quadratic evolution equations, for which results are typically obtained via Mehler formulas, our approach is operator-theoretic and symplectic in spirit and adapts techniques from the standard metaplectic group $\mathrm{Mp}(d,\mathbb{R})$ to a substantially broader framework that is not driven by differential problems or particular propagators. This point of view provides deeper insight into the structure of the metaplectic semigroup, and allows us to investigate its generators, polar decomposition, and intertwining relations with complex conjugation and with the Wigner distribution. We then exploit these structural results to characterize, from a metaplectic perspective, classes of time-frequency representations satisfying prescribed structural properties. Finally, we discuss further implications for parabolic equations with complex quadratic Hamiltonians, we study the boundedness of their propagators on modulation spaces, we obtain estimates in time of their operator norms. Finally, we apply our theory to the study of propagation of Wigner singularities.

math.APCross-listedarXiv:2601.22252Feb 2, 2026

Space-time structure and measurement theory

Jean-Pierre Antoine, Alan Gleit

International Journal of Theoretical PhysicsMay 1, 19719 citations

A quantized approach to space-time

Arthur Charlesby

International Journal of Radiation Applications and Instrumentation Part C Radiation Physics and ChemistryJan 1, 19890 citations

Growth of block-diagonal operators and symmetry-resolved Krylov complexity

Paweł Caputa, Giuseppe Di Giulio, Tran Quang Loc

This work addresses how the growth of invariant operators is influenced by their underlying symmetry structure. For this purpose, we introduce the symmetry-resolved Krylov complexity, which captures the time evolution of each block into which an operator, invariant under a given symmetry, can be decomposed. We find that, at early times, the complexity of the full operator is equal to the average of the symmetry-resolved contributions. At later times, however, the interplay among different charge sectors becomes more intricate. In general, the symmetry-resolved Krylov complexity depends on the charge sector, although in some cases this dependence disappears, leading to a form of Krylov complexity equipartition. Our analysis lays the groundwork for a broader application of symmetry structures in the study of Krylov space complexities with implications for thermalization and universality in many-body quantum systems.This work addresses how the growth of invariant operators is influenced by their underlying symmetry structure. For this purpose, we introduce the symmetry-resolved Krylov complexity, which captures the time evolution of each block into which an operator, invariant under a given symmetry, can be decomposed. We find that, at early times, the complexity of the full operator is equal to the average of the symmetry-resolved contributions. At later times, however, the interplay among different charge sectors becomes more intricate. In general, the symmetry-resolved Krylov complexity depends on the charge sector, although in some cases this dependence disappears, leading to a form of Krylov complexity equipartition. Our analysis lays the groundwork for a broader application of symmetry structures in the study of Krylov space complexities with implications for thermalization and universality in many-body quantum systems.

arXiv:2507.02033Physical Review ResearchSep 22, 202510 citations

Re-evaluating Space-Time

A. J. Short

Tutorials, schools, and workshops in the mathematical sciencesJan 1, 20170 citations

We develop a systematic analysis of the metaplectic semigroup

\mathrm{Mp}_+(d,\mathbb{C})

associated with positive complex symplectic matrices, a notion introduced almost simultaneously and independently by Hörmander, Brunet, Kramer, and Howe, thereby extending the classical metaplectic theory beyond the unitary setting. While the existing literature has largely focused on propagators of quadratic evolution equations, for which results are typically obtained via Mehler formulas, our approach is operator-theoretic and symplectic in spirit and adapts techniques from the standard metaplectic group

\mathrm{Mp}(d,\mathbb{R})

to a substantially broader framework that is not driven by differential problems or particular propagators. This point of view provides deeper insight into the structure of the metaplectic semigroup, and allows us to investigate its generators, polar decomposition, and intertwining relations with complex conjugation and with the Wigner distribution. We then exploit these structural results to characterize, from a metaplectic perspective, classes of time-frequency representations satisfying prescribed structural properties. Finally, we discuss further implications for parabolic equations with complex quadratic Hamiltonians, we study the boundedness of their propagators on modulation spaces, we obtain estimates in time of their operator norms. Finally, we apply our theory to the study of propagation of Wigner singularities.