Remarks on the Fundamental Solution to Schr\"odinger Equation with Variable Coefficients

Abstract

We consider Schr\"odinger operators $H$ on $R^n$ with variable coefficients. Let $H_0=-\frac12\triangle$ be the free Schr\"odinger operator and we suppose $H$ is a "short-range" perturbation of $H_0$. Then, under the nontrapping condition, we show the time evolution operator: $e^{-itH}$ can be written as a product of the free evolution operator $e^{-itH_0}$ and a Fourier integral operator $W(t)$, which is associated to the canonical relation given by the classical mechanical scattering. We also prove a similar result for the wave operators. These results are analogous to results by Hassell and Wunsch, but the assumptions, the proof and the formulation of results are considerably different. The proof employs an Egorov-type theorem similar to those used in previous works by the authors combined with a Beals-type characterization of Fourier integral operators.