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In mathematics, a Colombeau algebra is an algebra of a certain kind containing the space of Schwartz distributions. While in classical distribution theory a general multiplication of distributions is not possible, Colombeau algebras provide a rigorous framework for this. Such a multiplication of distributions has long been believed to be impossible because of L. Schwartz' impossibility result, which basically states that there cannot be a differential algebra containing the space of distributions and preserving the product of continuous functions. However, if one only wants to preserve the product of smooth functions instead such a construction becomes possible as demonstrated first by Colombeau. As a mathematical tool, Colombeau algebras can be said to combine a treatment of singularities, differentiation and nonlinear operations in one framework, lifting the limitations of distribution theory. These algebras have found numerous applications in the fields of partial differential equations, geophysics, microlocal analysis and general relativity so far. == Schwartz' Impossibility Result == Attempting to embed the space of distributions on into an associative algebra , the following requirements seem to be natural: # is linearly embedded into such that the constant function becomes the unity in , # There is a partial derivative operator on which is linear and satisfies the Leibnitz rule, # the restriction of to coincides with the usual partial derivative, # the restriction of to coincides with the pointwise product. However, L. Schwartz' result〔L. Schwartz, 1954, "Sur l'impossibilité de la multiplication des distributions", ''Comptes Rendus de L'Académie des Sciences'' 239, pp. 847-848 ()〕 implies that these requirements cannot hold simultaneously. The same is true even if, in 4., one replaces by , the space of times continuously differentiable functions. While this result has often been interpreted as saying that a general multiplication of distributions is not possible, in fact it only states that one cannot unrestrictedly combine differentiation, multiplication of continuous functions and the presence of singular objects like the Dirac delta. Colombeau algebras are constructed to satisfy conditions 1.-3. and a condition like 4., but with replaced by , i.e., they preserve the product of smooth (infinitely differentiable) functions only. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Colombeau algebra」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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