Orthogonality of Hermite polynomials in superspace and Mehler type formulae

Abstract

In this paper, Hermite polynomials related to quantum systems with orthogonal O(m)-symmetry, finite reflection group symmetry G < O(m), symplectic symmetry Sp(2n) and superspace symmetry O(m) x Sp(2n) are considered. After an overview of the results for O(m) and G, the orthogonality of the Hermite polynomials related to Sp(2n) is obtained with respect to the Berezin integral. As a consequence, an extension of the Mehler formula for the classical Hermite polynomials to Grassmann algebras is proven. Next, Hermite polynomials in a full superspace with O(m) x Sp(2n) symmetry are considered. It is shown that they are not orthogonal with respect to the canonically defined inner product. However, a new inner product is introduced which behaves correctly with respect to the structure of harmonic polynomials on superspace. This inner product allows to restore the orthogonality of the Hermite polynomials and also restores the hermiticity of a class of Schroedinger operators in superspace. Subsequently, a Mehler formula for the full superspace is obtained, thus yielding an eigenfunction decomposition of the super Fourier transform. Finally, an extensive comparison is made of the results in the different types of symmetry.