Resonance projectors and asymptotics for r-normally hyperbolic trapped sets

Abstract

We prove an asymptotic formula for the number of scattering resonances in a strip near the real axis when the trapped set is r-normally hyperbolic with r large and a pinching condition on the normal expansion rates holds. Our dynamical assumptions are stable under smooth perturbations and motivated by the setting of black holes. The key tool is a Fourier integral operator which microlocally projects onto the resonant states in the strip. In addition to Weyl law, this operator provides new information about microlocal concentration of resonant states.