Description:
Convolution and Equidistribution explores an important aspect of number theory--the theory of exponential sums over finite fields and their Mellin transforms--from a new, categorical point of view. The book presents fundamentally important results and a plethora of examples, opening up new directions in the subject.
The finite-field Mellin transform (of a function on the multiplicative group of a finite field) is defined by summing that function against variable multiplicative characters. The basic question considered in the book is how the values of the Mellin transform are distributed (in a probabilistic sense), in cases where the input function is suitably algebro-geometric. This question is answered by the book's main theorem, using a mixture of geometric, categorical, and group-theoretic methods. By providing a new framework for studying Mellin transforms over finite fields, this book opens up a new way for researchers to further explore the subject.Review Quotes: "The book is written in a clear and enlightening style. The author provides the reader with many examples that are developed throughout a dozen chapters. These examples help understand and clarify the depth and the variety of applications of the beautiful main equidistribution statement that relies on rather complicated and subtle algebrageometric arguments."---Florent Jouve, Mathematical Reviews Clippings