AbstractLetAbe a selfadjoint uniformly elliptic differential operator. Let the underlying domain be bounded. Eigenvalue problems can be solved then, and an arbitrary square integrable function may be developed in a Fourier series relative to the eigenfunctions. In general elliptic differential operators have a continuous spectrum, if the underlying domain is unbounded. In this case the spectral theorem provides a representation of a given function by an integral transformation. The spectral projector can be calculated, if the outgoing and incoming solutions are known (radiation condition). Thus integral transformations may be derived very easily. Four examples will be given: the Fourier sine transform, the Lebedev transform, the transformation belonging to the Dirichlet problem of the plate equation and, finally, the Fourier transformation.
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