Time-frequency localization operators: a geometric phase space approach

The author defines a set of operators which localize in both time and frequency. These operators are similar to but different from the low-pass time-limiting operator, the singular functions of which are the prolate spheroidal wave functions. The author´s construction differs from the usual approach in that she treats the time-frequency plane as one geometric whole (phase space) rather than as two separate spaces. For disk-shaped or ellipse-shaped domains in time-frequency plane, the associated localization operators are remarkably simple. Their eigenfunctions are Hermite functions, and the corresponding eigenvalues are given by simple explicit formulas involving the incomplete gamma functions