This volume is the first of three in a series surveying the theory of theta functions which play a central role in the fields of complex analysis, algebraic geometry, number theory and most recently particle physics. Based on lectures given by the author at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bombay, these volumes constitute a systematic exposition of theta functions, beginning with their historical roots as analytic functions in one variable (Volume I), touching on some of the beautiful ways they can be used to describe moduli spaces (Volume II), and culminating in a methodical comparison of theta functions in analysis, algebraic geometry, and representation theory (Volume III).

Researchers and graduate students in mathematics and physics will find these volumes to be valuable additions to their libraries.

Autorentext
David Mumford was born on June 11, 1937 in England and has been associated with Harvard University continuously from entering as freshman to his present position of Higgins Professor of Mathematics.
Mumford worked in the fields of Algebraic Gemetry in the 60's and 70's, concentrating especially on the theory of moduli spaces: spaces which classify all objects of some type, such as all curves of a given genus or all vector bundles on a fixed curve of given rank and degree. Mumford was awarded the Fields Medal in 1974 for his work on moduli spaces and algebraic surfaces. He is presently working on the mathematics of pattern recognition and artificial intelligence.

Klappentext

The first of a series of three volumes surveying the theory of theta functions and its significance in the fields of representation theory and algebraic geometry, this volume deals with the basic theory of theta functions in one and several variables, and some of its number theoretic applications.

Requiring no background in advanced algebraic geometry, the text serves as a modern introduction to the subject.

Inhalt
and motivation: theta functions in one variable.- Basic results on theta functions in several variables.