Our recent preprints

  • The filter of singularities in global anisotropic microlocal analysis

    Date: 2026-04-21
    Authors: Luigi Rodino, Patrik Wahlberg
    Abstract
    We define a filter of time-frequency anisotropic global singularities of phase space for tempered distributions. The filter contains information from the corresponding anisotropic Gabor wave front set and admits propagation results for the Cauchy problem for certain linear evolution equations of Schrödinger type that generalize the harmonic oscillator.
  • Sparse Gabor representations of metaplectic operators: controlled exponential decay and Schrödinger confinement

    Date: 2026-02-02
    Authors: Elena Cordero, Gianluca Giacchi, Edoardo Pucci, S. Ivan Trapasso
  • Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation with magnetic potential on metric graphs

    Date: 2026-01-30
    Authors: Cangiotti, Nicolò, Gallo, Ivan, Spitzkopf, David
    Abstract
    In this manuscript, we shall investigate the Nonlinear Magnetic Schrödinger Equation on noncompact metric graphs, focusing on the existence of ground states. We prove that the magnetic Hamiltonian is variationally equivalent to a non-magnetic operator with additional repulsive potentials supported on the graph's cycles. This effective potential is strictly determined by the Aharonov-Bohm flux through the topological loops. Leveraging this reduction, we extend classical existence criteria to the magnetic setting. As a key application, we characterize the ground state structure on the tadpole graph, revealing a mass-dependent phase transition. The ground states exist for sufficiently small repulsion in an intermediate regime of masses while sufficiently strong flux prevents the formation of ground states.
  • An elementary approach to Wehrl-type entropy bounds in quantitative form

    Date: 2025-12-03
    Authors: Nicola, Fabio, Riccardi, Federico, Tilli, Paolo
    Abstract
    We consider the problem of the stability (with sharp exponent) of the Lieb–Solovej inequality for symmetric \(SU(N)\) coherent states, which was obtained only recently by the authors. Here, we propose an elementary proof of this result, based on reformulating the Wehrl-type entropy as a function defined on the unit sphere in \(\mathbb{C}^d\), for some suitable \(d\), and on some explicit (and somewhat surprising) computations.
  • On the existence of optimizers for nonlinear time-frequency concentration problems: the Wigner distribution

    Date: 2025-10-21
    Authors: Federico Stra, Erling A. T. Svela, S. Ivan Trapasso
    Abstract
    We prove that, for any measurable phase space subset \(Ω\subset\mathbb{R}^{2d}\) with \(0<|Ω|<\infty\) and any \(1\le p < \infty\), the nonlinear concentration problem \[ \sup_{f \in L^2(\mathbb{R}^d)\setminus\{0\}}\frac{\|Wf\|_{L^p(Ω)}}{\|f\|_{L^2}^2}\] admits an optimizer, where \(Wf\) is the Wigner distribution of \(f\). The main obstruction is that \(Wf\) is covariant (not invariant) under time-frequency shifts, which impedes weak upper semicontinuity, so the effects of constructive interference must be taken into account. We close this compactness gap via concentration compactness for Heisenberg-type dislocations, together with a new asymptotic formula that quantifies the limiting contribution to concentration over \(Ω\) from asymptotically separated wave packets. When \(p=\infty\) we also identify the sharp constant \(2^d\) and show that it is attained. We also discuss some related extensions: For \(τ\)-Wigner distributions with \(τ\in (0,1)\) we isolate a chain phenomenon that obstructs the same strategy beyond the Wigner case (\(τ=1/2\)), while for the Born-Jordan distribution in \(d=1\) we obtain weak continuity, and thus existence of concentration optimizers for all \(1\le p<\infty\) (the \(p=\infty\) supremum equals \(π\) but is not attained).
  • The Wigner distribution of Gaussian tempered generalized stochastic processes

    Date: 2025-08-13
    Authors: Patrik Wahlberg
  • Wave packet analysis of semigroups generated by quadratic differential operators

    Date: 2025-08-12
    Authors: S. Ivan Trapasso
  • Sparse Gabor representations of metaplectic operators: controlled exponential decay and Schrödinger confinement

    Date: 2025-08-04
    Authors: Elena Cordero, Gianluca Giacchi, Edoardo Pucci, S. Ivan Trapasso
    Abstract
    Motivated by the phase space analysis of Schrödinger evolution operators, in this paper we investigate how metaplectic operators are approximately diagonalized along the corresponding symplectic flows by exponentially localized Gabor wave packets. Quantitative bounds for the matrix coefficients arising in the Gabor wave packet decomposition of such operators are established, revealing precise exponential decay rates together with subtler dispersive and spreading phenomena. To this aim, we present several novel results concerning the time-frequency analysis of functions with controlled Gelfand-Shilov regularity, which are of independent interest. As a byproduct, we generalize Vemuri's Gaussian confinement results for the solutions of the quantum harmonic oscillator in two respects, namely by encompassing general exponential decay rates as well as arbitrary quadratic Schrödinger propagators. In particular, we extensively discuss some prominent models such as the harmonic oscillator, the free particle in a constant magnetic field and fractional Fourier transforms.
  • An optimal estimate for the norm of wavelet localization operators

    Date: 2025-07-28
    Authors: Federico Riccardi
    Abstract
    In this paper we prove an optimal estimate for the norm of wavelet localization operators with Cauchy wavelet and weight functions that satisfy two constraints on different Lebesgue norms. We prove that multiple regimes arise according to the ratio of these norms: if this ratio belongs to a fixed interval (which depends on the Lebesgue exponents) then both constraints are active, while outside this interval one of the constraint is inactive. Furthermore, we characterize optimal weight functions.
  • The wave function of stabilizer states and the Wehrl conjecture

    Date: 2025-07-21
    Authors: Fabio Nicola
  • The Hudson theorem in LCA groups and infinite quantum spin systems

    Date: 2025-07-17
    Authors: Fabio Nicola, Federico Riccardi
    Abstract
    The celebrated Hudson theorem states that the Gaussian functions in \(\mathbb{R}^d\) are the only functions whose Wigner distribution is everywhere positive. Motivated by quantum information theory, D. Gross proved an analogous result on the Abelian group \(\mathbb{Z}_d^n\), for \(d\) odd – corresponding to a system of \(n\) qudits – showing that the Wigner distribution is nonnegative only for the so-called stabilizer states. Extending this result to the thermodynamic limit of finite-dimensional systems naturally leads us to consider general \(2\)-regular LCA groups that possess a compact open subgroup, where the issue of the positivity of the Wigner distribution is currently an open problem. We provide a complete solution to this question by showing that if the map \(x\mapsto 2x\) is measure-preserving, the functions whose Wigner distribution is nonnegative are exactly the subcharacters of second degree, up to translation and multiplication by a constant. Instead, if the above map is not measure-preserving, the Wigner distribution always takes negative values. We discuss in detail the particular case of infinite sums of discrete groups and infinite products of compact groups, which correspond precisely to infinite quantum spin systems. Further examples include \(n\)-adic systems, where \(n\geq 2\) is an arbitrary integer (not necessarily a prime), as well as solenoid groups.
  • A monotonicity theorem for subharmonic functions on manifolds

    Date: 2025-07-07
    Authors: Aleksei Kulikov, Fabio Nicola, Joaquim Ortega‐Cerdà, Paolo Tilli
    Abstract
    We prove a sharp monotonicity theorem about the distribution of subharmonic functions on manifolds, which can be regarded as a new, measure theoretic form of the uncertainty principle. As an illustration of the scope of this result, we deduce contractivity estimates for analytic functions on the Riemann sphere, the complex plane and the Poincaré disc, with a complete description of the extremal functions, hence providing a unified and illuminating perspective on a number of results and conjectures on this subject, in particular on the Wehrl entropy conjecture of Lieb and Solovej. In this connection, we completely prove that conjecture for the group S U ( 2 ) , by showing that the corresponding extremals are only the coherent states. Also, we show that the above (global) estimates admit a local counterpart and in all cases we characterize also the extremal subsets, among those of fixed assigned measure.
  • Filtering of second order generalized stochastic processes corrupted by additive noise

    Date: 2025-04-25
    Authors: Patrik Wahlberg
    Abstract
    We treat the optimal linear filtering problem for a sum of two second order uncorrelated generalized stochastic processes. This is an operator equation involving covariance operators. We study both the wide-sense stationary case and the non-stationary case. In the former case the equation simplifies into a convolution equation. The solution is the Radon–Nikodym derivative between non-negative tempered Radon measures, for signal and signal plus noise respectively, in the frequency domain. In the non-stationary case we work with pseudodifferential operators with symbols in Sjöstrand modulation spaces which admits the use of its spectral invariance properties.
  • Phase space analysis of finite and infinite dimensional Fresnel integrals

    Date: 2025-04-17
    Authors: Sonia Mazzucchi, Fabio Nicola, S. Ivan Trapasso
  • The Wigner distribution of Gaussian tempered generalized stochastic processes

    Date: 2025-04-04
    Authors: Patrik Wahlberg
    Abstract
    We define the Wigner distribution of a tempered generalized stochastic process that is complex-valued symmetric Gaussian. This gives a time-frequency generalized stochastic process defined on the phase space. We study its covariance and our main result is a formula for the Weyl symbol of the covariance operator, expressed in terms of the Weyl symbol of the covariance operator of the original generalized stochastic process.
  • Schrödinger evolution on surfaces in 3D contact sub-Riemannian manifolds

    Date: 2025-02-22
    Authors: Riccardo Adami, Ugo Boscain, Dario Prandi, Lucia Tessarolo
    Abstract
    Let \(M\) be a 3-dimensional contact sub-Riemannian manifold and \(S\) a surface embedded in \(M\). Such a surface inherits a field of directions that becomes singular at characteristic points. The integral curves of such field define a characteristic foliation \(\mathscr{F}\). In this paper we study the Schrödinger evolution of a particle constrained on \(\mathscr{F}\). In particular, we relate the self-adjointness of the Schrödinger operator with a geometric invariant of the foliation. We then classify a special family of its self-adjoint extensions: those that yield disjoint dynamics.
  • An optimal estimate for the norm of wavelet localization operators

    Date: 2025-02-14
    Authors: Federico Riccardi
    Abstract
    In this paper we prove an optimal estimate for the norm of wavelet localization operators with Cauchy wavelet and weight functions that satisfy two constraints on different Lebesgue norms. We prove that multiple regimes arise according to the ratio of these norms: if this ratio belongs to a fixed interval (which depends on the Lebesgue exponents) then both constraints are active, while outside this interval one of the constraint is inactive. Furthermore, we characterize optimal weight functions.
  • An explicitly solvable NLS model with discontinuous standing waves

    Date: 2025-02-05
    Authors: Riccardo Adami, Filippo Boni, Takaaki Nakamura, Alice Ruighi
    Abstract
    We study the NLS Equation on the line with a point interaction given by the superposition of an attractive delta potential with a dipole interaction, in the cases of \(L^2\)-subcritical and \(L^2\)-critical nonlinearity. For a subcritical nonlinearity we prove the existence and the uniqueness of Ground States at any mass. If the mass exceeds an explicit threshold, then there exists a positive excited state too. For the critical nonlinearity we prove that Ground States exist only in a specific interval of masses, while in a different interval excited states exist. We provide the value of the optimal constant in the Gagliardo-Nirenberg estimate and describe in the dipole case the branches of the stationary states as the strength of the interaction varies. Since all stationary states are explicitly computed, ours is a solvable model involving a non-standard interplay of a nonlinearity with a point interaction.
  • DNA-loaded targeted nanoparticles as a safe platform to produce exogenous proteins in tumor B cells

    Date: 2025-01-22
    Authors: Maria Cristina Grimaldi, Sara Bozzer, Dick J. Sjöström, Linnéa Andersson, Tom Eirik Mollnes, Per H. Nilsson, Luca De Maso, Federico Riccardi, Michele Dal Bo, Daniele Sblattero, Paolo Macor
    Abstract
    Introduction: The functionalization of nanoparticles (NPs) with an antiCD19 targeting mechanism represents a promising approach for the selective delivery of drugs and nucleic acids into normal and tumor B cells. This strategy has the advantage of minimizing off-target effects by restricting gene delivery to the desired cell population. However, the nanoplatform must guarantee both the local production of the protein and the safety of the treatment to allow an effective therapy with reduced systemic toxicity. Methods: , in a human/zebrafish lymphoma xenograft model. Results: The results demonstrated that the PLGA-PVA nanoplatform was capable of efficiently encapsulating and releasing the payload. These nanostructures demonstrated a favorable safety profile, as evidenced by the absence of significant cell cytotoxicity, coagulation activation, complement system activation, and the slight activation of endothelial cells and leukocytes. The targeting mechanism facilitated the interaction of NPs with target cells, thereby enhancing their internalization and subsequent exogenous plasmid DNA (pDNA) translation and protein expression. In the human/zebrafish lymphoma xenograft model, no evidence of toxicity was observed, and targeted NPs demonstrated the capacity to enhance exogenous pDNA expression. Conclusion: Our findings provide a rationale for the use of targeted NPs as a DNA delivery system for the local expression of therapeutic proteins.
  • Ground states for the NLS on non-compact graphs with an attractive potential

    Date: 2025-01-18
    Authors: Riccardo Adami, Ivan Gallo, David Spitzkopf
    Abstract
    We consider the subcritical nonlinear Schrödinger equation on non-compact quantum graphs with an attractive potential supported in the compact core, and investigate the existence and the nonexistence of Ground States, defined as minimizers of the energy at fixed \(L^2\)-norm, or mass. We finally reach the following picture: for small and large mass there are Ground States. Moreover, according to the metric features of the compact core of the graph and to the strength of the potential, there may be an interval of intermediate masses for which there are no Ground States. The study was inspired by the research on quantum waveguides, in which the curvature of a thin tube induces an effective attractive potential.
  • Compressed sensing for inverse problems II: applications to deconvolution, source recovery, and MRI

    Date: 2025-01-03
    Authors: Giovanni S. Alberti, Alessandro Felisi, Matteo Santacesaria, S. Ivan Trapasso
    Abstract
    This paper extends the sample complexity theory for ill-posed inverse problems developed in a recent work by the authors [`Compressed sensing for inverse problems and the sample complexity of the sparse Radon transform', J. Eur. Math. Soc., to appear], which was originally focused on the sparse Radon transform. We demonstrate that the underlying abstract framework, based on infinite-dimensional compressed sensing and generalized sampling techniques, can effectively handle a variety of practical applications. Specifically, we analyze three case studies: (1) The reconstruction of a sparse signal from a finite number of pointwise blurred samples; (2) The recovery of the (sparse) source term of an elliptic partial differential equation from finite samples of the solution; and (3) A moderately ill-posed variation of the classical sensing problem of recovering a wavelet-sparse signal from finite Fourier samples, motivated by magnetic resonance imaging. For each application, we establish rigorous recovery guarantees by verifying the key theoretical requirements, including quasi-diagonalization and coherence bounds. Our analysis reveals that careful consideration of balancing properties and optimized sampling strategies can lead to improved reconstruction performance. The results provide a unified theoretical foundation for compressed sensing approaches to inverse problems while yielding practical insights for specific applications.
  • Polynomially oscillatory multipliers on Gelfand-Shilov spaces

    Date: 2024-12-18
    Authors: Junior, Alexandre Arias, Patrik Wahlberg
    Abstract
    We study continuity of the multiplier operator \(e^{i q}\) acting on Gelfand–Shilov spaces, where \(q\) is a polynomial on \(\mathbf R^d\) of degree at least two with real coefficients. In the parameter quadrant for the spaces we identify a wedge that depends on the polynomial degree for which the operator is continuous. We also show that in a large part of the complement region the operator is not continuous in dimension one. The results give information on well-posedness for linear evolution equations that generalize the Schrödinger equation for the free particle.
  • The Wehrl-type entropy conjecture for symmetric $SU(N)$ coherent states: cases of equality and stability

    Date: 2024-12-14
    Authors: Fabio Nicola, Federico Riccardi, Paolo Tilli
    Abstract
    Lieb and Solovej proved that, for the symmetric \(SU(N)\) representations, the corresponding Wehrl-type entropy is minimized by symmetric coherent states. However, the uniqueness of the minimizers remained an open problem when \(N\geq 3\). In this note, we complete the proof of the Wehrl entropy conjecture for such representations by showing that symmetric coherent states are, in fact, the only minimizers. We also provide an application to the maximum concentration of holomorphic polynomials and deduce a corresponding Faber-Krahn inequality. A sharp quantitative form of the bound by Lieb and Solovej is also proved.
  • Wave packet analysis of semigroups generated by quadratic differential operators

    Date: 2024-08-20
    Authors: S. Ivan Trapasso
    Abstract
    We perform a phase space analysis of evolution equations associated with the Weyl quantization \(q^{\mathrm{w}}\) of a complex quadratic form \(q\) on \(\mathbb{R}^{2d}\) with non-positive real part. In particular, we obtain pointwise bounds for the matrix coefficients of the Gabor wave packet decomposition of the generated semigroup \(e^{tq^{\mathrm{w}}}\) if \(\mathrm{Re} (q) \le 0\) and the companion singular space associated is trivial. This result is then leveraged to achieve a comprehensive analysis of the phase regularity of \(e^{tq^{\mathrm{w}}}\) with \(\mathrm{Re} (q) \le 0\), thereby extending the \(L^2\) analysis of quadratic semigroups initiated by Hitrik and Pravda-Starov to general modulation spaces \(M^p(\mathbb{R}^d)\), \(1 \le p \le \infty\), with optimal explicit bounds.
  • Phase space analysis of higher-order dispersive equations with point interactions

    Date: 2024-07-22
    Authors: Sonia Mazzucchi, Fabio Nicola, S. Ivan Trapasso
    Abstract
    We investigate nonlinear, higher-order dispersive equations with measure (or even less regular) potentials and initial data with low regularity. Our approach is of distributional nature and relies on the phase space analysis (via Gabor wave packets) of the corresponding fundamental solution – in fact, locating the modulation/amalgam space regularity of such generalized Fresnel-type oscillatory functions is a problem of independent interest in harmonic analysis.