On higher order Fourier analysis

Abstract

We develop a theory of higher order structures in compact abelian groups. In the frame of this theory we prove general inverse theorems and regularity lemmas for Gowers's uniformity norms. We put forward an algebraic interpretation of the notion "higher order Fourier analysis" in terms of continuous morphisms between structures called compact $k$-step nilspaces. As a byproduct of our results we obtain a new type of limit theory for functions on abelian groups in the spirit of the so-called graph limit theory. Our proofs are based on an exact (non-approximative) version of higher order Fourier analysis which appears on ultra product groups.