Encyclopaedia of Mathematical Sciences

This book explores the theory and application of locally nilpotent derivations, a subject motivated by questions in affine algebraic geometry and having fundamental connections to areas such as commutative algebra, representation theory, Lie algebras and differential equations.

This book, the first printing of which was published as Volume 31 of the Encyclopaedia of Mathematical Sciences, contains a survey of the modern theory of general linear partial differential equations and a detailed review of equations with constant coefficients. Readers will be interested in an introduction to microlocal analysis and its applications including singular integral operators, pseudodifferential operators, Fourier integral operators and wavefronts, a survey of the most important results about the mixed problem for hyperbolic equations, a review of asymptotic methods including short wave asymptotics, the Maslov canonical operator and spectral asymptotics, a detailed description of the applications of distribution theory to partial differential equations with constant coefficients including numerous interesting special topics.

From the reviews of the first printing, published as Volume 7 of the Encyclopaedia of Mathematical Sciences:
"…… In this volume, we find an introductory essay entitled "Remarkable Facts of Complex Analysis" by Vitushkin… This is followed by articles by G.M.Khenkin on integral formulas in complex analysis, by E.M.Chirka on complex analytic sets, by Vitushkin on the geometry of hypersurfaces and by P.Dolbeault, on the theory of residues in several variables. … In sum, the volume under review is the first quarter of an important work that surveys an active branch of modern mathematics. Some of the individual articles are reminiscent in style of the early volumes of the first Ergebnisse series and will probably prove to be equally useful as a reference; all contain substantial lists of references."
Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society, 1991 "… This remarkable book has a helpfully informal style, abundant motivation, outlined proofs followed by precise references, and an extensive bibliography; it will be an invaluable reference and a companion to modern courses on several complex variables."

From the reviews of the first printing, published as volume 23 of the Encyclopaedia of Mathematical Sciences:
"This volume… consists of two papers. The first, written by V.V.Shokurov, is devoted to the theory of Riemann surfaces and algebraic curves. It is an excellent overview of the theory of relations between Riemann surfaces and their models - complex algebraic curves in complex projective spaces. … The second paper, written by V.I.Danilov, discusses algebraic varieties and schemes. …
I can recommend the book as a very good introduction to the basic algebraic geometry."
European Mathematical Society Newsletter, 1996

From the reviews of the first printing of this book, published as Volume 60 of the Encyclopaedia of Mathematical Sciences: "Between number theory and geometry there have been several stimulating influences, and this book records of these enterprises. This author, who has been at the centre of such research for many years, is one of the best guides a reader can hope for. The book is full of beautiful results, open questions, stimulating conjectures and suggestions where to look for future developments.