Lecture note on Fourier decoupling theory and its applications

Abstract

This paper is based on lecture notes taken and organized during the 17th Graduate Mathematics Intensive Training Program (Spring 2025), held at the Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research, in which Professor Shaoming Guo lectured on "An Introduction to Fourier Decoupling Theory." The main content includes an introduction to and proofs of $\ell^2$ decoupling inequality, together with its applications in number theory, harmonic analysis, and geometric measure theory. The writing follows Professor Guo's teaching style, proving theorems in an intuitive and heuristic manner; consequently, the text contains many figures to explain the ideas at hand, while also lacking some rigor. However, all of these geometric intuitions can be rigorously justified, albeit in a more complicated and technical way. The author hopes that readers will be able to understand, through these lecture notes, the geometric intuition hidden behind the cumbersome proofs, and thereby deepen their understanding of the relevant definitions and theorems. Rigorous proofs can be found in Professor Guo's forthcoming book, which interested readers may consult.