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The Malgrange–Ehrenpreis theorem states that every nonzero constant-coefficient linear differential operator on Euclidean space has a distributional fundamental solution. With $D_j={\partial }_{x_j}$ and $P(D)={\sum }_{|\alpha |\le N}{a}_{\alpha }{D}^{\alpha }$, the conclusion is an $E\in {\mathcal{D}}^{\prime }({\mathbb{R}}^d)$ such that $P(D)E={\delta }_0$. If $N=0$, simply take $E=a_0^{-1}{\delta }_0$; hence assume $N\ge 1$.

We construct a Hörmander staircase in frequency space. The highest-degree homogeneous part $P_N$ is not identically zero on real vectors, since a polynomial vanishing on all real vectors has all coefficients zero. After an orthogonal transformation of coordinates, we can arrange that $P_N(e_1)\ne 0$. Thus, for each real ${\xi }^{\prime }\in {\mathbb{R}}^{d-1}$, the polynomialhas degree $N$ in $z$ and the same nonzero leading coefficient $b=i^N{P}_N(e_1)$, independent of ${\xi }^{\prime }$. This constant leading coefficient of a polynomial is what makes a uniform staircase possible.

For a fixed ${\xi }^{\prime }$, factor $p(z,{\xi }^{\prime })=b{\prod }_{\nu =1}^N(z-z_{\nu })$, counting repeated roots of a polynomial. Consider the $N+1$ heights $h_j=3j$, $j=0,\dots ,N$. A given root has imaginary part within distance less than one of at most one of these heights. By the pigeonhole principle, some height avoids every root, and thenThis is finite-height polynomial root avoidance. Root labels need not be chosen continuously or even measurably. Instead define the closed setsContinuity in $s$ extends the inequality from rational $q$ to every real $s$. These Borel sets partition ${\mathbb{R}}^{d-1}$. The Hörmander staircase assigns the horizontal contour $s+i{h}_j$ over $A_j$; its height is bounded by $3N$, and the denominator has the uniform lower bound $|b|$. For $d=1$, the transverse space is a single point and only one horizontal contour is needed.

Use the Fourier transform convention $\hat{\phi }(\zeta )=\int e^{-ix\cdot \zeta }\phi (x)dx$, with inverse factor $(2\pi {)}^{-d}$. Define the candidate fundamental solution of a linear differential operator byFor a test function supported in a fixed compact set $K$, Fourier decay in a bounded complex strip gives, for any integer $M$,Indeed, this is the real Fourier transform of $e^{-h_j{x}_1}\phi (x)$ with reversed frequency, and repeated integration by parts with $(1-\Delta {)}^M$ proves the estimate. Taking $2M>d$ and using the denominator bound proves absolute convergence and a continuity estimate on ${\mathcal{D}}_K$. Thus $E$ is a distribution; no unsupported interpretation of a divergent inverse Fourier transform is being used.

For its distributional derivatives, the formal transpose of a differential operator is $P(-D)$. Sinceapplying $P(D)$ cancels the denominator. For each fixed ${\xi }^{\prime }$, the numerator is an entire function of $z$. The Cauchy integral theorem, applied to a rectangle between the lines $\mathrm{Im}z=0$ and $\mathrm{Im}z=h_j$, givesThe two vertical edges tend to zero by the same bounded-strip decay. The resulting contour deformation is performed separately for each transverse frequency, so discontinuities of the staircase height introduce no additional boundary terms. Absolute convergence permits integration over the partition $A_j$. The Fourier inversion theorem then yieldsThis proves the Malgrange–Ehrenpreis theorem. Undoing the orthogonal change of coordinates gives the fundamental solution of a linear differential operator for the original operator; the Dirac delta distribution is unchanged by that change of coordinates.

For a one-dimensional operator $L=P(D)$ of degree $N\ge 1$, with leading coefficient $a_N$, we may choose the single staircase contour below every pole. Take $\gamma >\max \{\mathrm{Re}\lambda :P(\lambda )=0\}$ and integrate on $\mathrm{Im}\zeta =-\gamma$. The corresponding formula is the Bromwich contour version of the construction above, after putting $\lambda =i\zeta$. Its poles all lie above the frequency contour. For $x<0$, close that contour downwards; the exponential function $e^{ix\zeta }$ decays and there are no enclosed poles. For $x>0$, close upwards, where the exponential function again decays, and apply the residue theorem. The bound $1/P(i\zeta )=O(|\zeta {|}^{-N})$ justifies the large arcs, including $N=1$ by the Jordan lemma away from their endpoints. Thus away from $x=0$ the retarded fundamental solution is $H(x)u(x)$, whereThe sum is over distinct roots of a polynomial, with the residue including the whole multiplicity. For simple characteristic roots of a constant-coefficient differential equation, it reduces to $u(x)={\sum }_{\lambda }{e}^{\lambda x}/P^{\prime }(\lambda )$. Repeated roots give exponential polynomial solutions of a constant-coefficient differential equation through differentiation of $e^{zx}$.

To establish the equality also at the origin, rather than leave a possible point-supported term undecided, verify the distributional jump formula for a Heaviside product. The residue expression is an entire function of $x$, andIts initial derivatives areThese identities follow by integrating over a large circle: for $j\le N-2$ the integrand is $O(|z{|}^{-2})$, whereas for $j=N-1$ its coefficient of $z^{-1}$ is $a_N^{-1}$. The distributional jump formula for a Heaviside product therefore gives $L(Hu)={\delta }_0$. Moreover, since $e^{-\gamma x}Hu$ is a tempered distribution, its Fourier transform satisfiesThere are no real zeros of this polynomial, so its reciprocal is the transform. This is exactly the shifted-contour construction, proving equality there as a distribution as well. HenceThe sign of $a_N$ matters: for the operator in the preceding solution, $a_N=-1$ and the last initial derivative is $-1$.

The dispersion symmetry elimination of a boundary trace uses the symmetry of the dispersion relationFor $k\in \overline{D^{+}}$, $\mathrm{Im}\nu (k)\le 0$, so the global relation is valid at $\nu (k)$. Since $i\nu +\alpha =-ik$, it givesSubstitution into the contour integral representation produces an unwanted integral ${\int }_{\partial D^{+}}{e}^{ikx}\hat{u}(\nu (k),t)dk$. Its integrand is analytic in $D^{+}$ and decays on closing the contour upwards; Jordan lemma makes this integral zero for $x>0$. Hence the Fokas method eliminates the unknown normal derivative:All quantities here are determined by the prescribed initial and Dirichlet boundary data up to time $t$.

For verification and for numerical evaluation it is useful to evaluate the spectral contour integrals, giving a half-line drift reflection kernel. Putand define the half-line drift boundary kernelFubini's theorem, the Gaussian Fourier transform and contour deformation give the equivalent causal formulaFor the reflected initial term, ${\hat{u}}_0(i\alpha -k)={\int }_0^{\infty }{e}^{\alpha y+iky}{u}_0(y)dy$ on the contour; the evaluated Gaussian supplies the necessary large-$y$ decay. If $e^{\alpha y}{u}_0(y)$ is not integrable, truncate the initial conditions first, evaluate, and pass to the limit using Gaussian bounds. No extra exponential-decay assumption on the original data is needed for this kernel formula.

The boundary kernel follows particularly simply fromThis calculation independently checks both the sign and the coefficient of the boundary forcing.

Apply Fourier inversion to the global relation on the real axis, extending $u$ by zero to negative $x$. At an interior point $x>0$ this givesThe finite-time spectral boundary transforms are entire functions of $k$. Define the upper decay domainOrient $\partial D^{+}$ from its left infinite end through $i\alpha$ to its right infinite end, so that $D^{+}$ lies to the left. Its finite point is $i\alpha$, not zero. On the contour, $\mathrm{Re}\omega =0$; the factor $e^{ikx}$ decays because $x>0$.

For the boundary term, write $e^{-\omega t}{G}_j={\int }_0^t{e}^{-\omega (t-s)}{g}_j(s)ds$. Between the real axis and $\partial D^{+}$, $\mathrm{Re}\omega \ge 0$, so this factor has no exponential growth. Contour deformation and Jordan lemma, with the usual cutoffs for oscillatory integrals, therefore giveThis is the requested complex-plane representation with the unknown finite-time spectral boundary transform still present. The decay domain must agree with the sign of the drift in the dispersion relation.

The unknown Neumann boundary condition can be removed by the Fokas method. Evaluate the global relation for the half-line free Schrodinger equation at $-k$:Consequently $k{G}_0-i{G}_1=2k{G}_0-{\hat{q}}_0(-k)+e^{i{k}^{2}t}\hat{q}(-k,t)$. In the representation from part (a), the last term has integral ${\int }_{\partial D_{+}}{e}^{ikx}\hat{q}(-k,t)dk=0$, by the Cauchy integral theorem and Jordan lemma. It is analytic in the upper half-plane, and the exponential decays on the closing first-quadrant arc. Hence an expression involving only the given data isOne may replace $t$ by $T$ in the upper limit defining $G_0$: the contribution of boundary times $s>t$ closes to zero in $D_{+}$, since $e^{-i{k}^2(t-s)}$ then decays there. Using $t$ makes causality transparent.

For an explicit proof of uniform convergence, it is useful to apply boundary lifting before inversion. Set $h(x)=e^{-x}$, $c=g_0(0)$, $w_0(x)=q_0(x)-ch(x)$, andThe compatibility condition gives $w_0(0)=0$. The Fourier sine transform of $w=q-g_{0}h$ satisfies $S_t+i{k}^{2}S=Hf$, with initial value $S_0$. The integrating factor therefore gives the equivalent representationThis last integral is absolutely and uniformly convergent for $x\ge 0$, $0\le t\le T$ under concrete sufficient hypotheses $w_0,w_0^{\prime },w_0^{\prime \prime }\in L^1$, decay of the boundary terms, and $g_0\in C^2[0,T]$. Indeed, two integrations by parts give $|S_0(k)|\le \Vert w_0^{\prime \prime }{\Vert }_1/k^2$ for $k\ge 1$. Another integration by parts, this time in $s$, givesThus the initial term is uniformly $O(k^{-2})$ and the forcing term uniformly $O(k^{-3})$. For $0<k<1$, use $|S_0(k)|\le \Vert w_0{\Vert }_1$ and the bounded time integral. An integrable majorant proves the claimed uniform convergence and permits evaluation at both boundaries.

At $t=0$, Fourier sine inversion gives $q(x,0)=c{e}^{-x}+w_0(x)=q_0(x)$. At $x=0$, the integral vanishes, giving $q(0,t)=g_0(t)$, including the compatible corner. To verify the equation, note that $h^{\prime \prime }=h$ and the transformed equation impliesAdding the lifted part gives $i{q}_t+q_{xx}=0$. Under the stated smoothness, this holds classically in the interior; differentiated spectral integrals can first be Gaussian-regularized, or read in the sine-transform $L^2$ sense and then identified with the smooth solution. Uniform convergence of $q$ itself does not require claiming uniform convergence of every differentiated integral at the corner.

Use Fourier inversion with the stated Fourier transform convention:For $x<0$, close the contour integral in the lower half-plane, where $|e^{ikx}|=e^{-x\mathrm{Im}k}$ decays. Jordan lemma eliminates the large semicircle. The contour is clockwise, so the residue theorem supplies $-2\pi i$ times the residue at $k=-ip$. That simple pole hasConsequentlyThe minus sign uses both the clockwise orientation and the residue $-i{e}^{px}$; it is consistent with the full odd function $\mathrm{sgn}(x)e^{-p|x|}$ away from zero.

Integrate $z{e}^{i\pi z}/(z^2+a^2)$ over the upper semicircle. Jordan lemma removes the arc, and the pole at $z=ia$ has residue $e^{-\pi a}/2$. HenceThe cosine contribution is odd, while the sine contribution is even. Therefore

Jordan lemma states that if $a>0$ and $g$ is analytic in the upper half-plane outside a fixed circle, withthen on the upper semicircle $C_R$,Indeed, $|e^{iaR{e}^{i\theta }}|=e^{-aR\sin \theta }$. Using symmetry and $\sin \theta \ge 2\theta /\pi$ on $0\le \theta \le \pi /2$ gives

The residue of $f$ at an isolated singularity $a$ is the coefficient of $(z-a{)}^{-1}$ in its Laurent series, equivalentlyIf $f(z)=g(z)/(z-a{)}^k$, the Taylor expansion of the analytic function $g$ shows that

For the real integral, apply contour integration in the upper half-plane toJordan's lemma removes the semicircular arc. The only enclosed singularity is the double pole at $z=i$, whose residue isThe residue theorem therefore givesIts real part vanishes because $x^3\cos x/(1+x^2{)}^2$ is an odd function, while its imaginary part is the requested integral. Hence

For $\mathrm{Im}z>0$, close the $t$-contour in the upper half-plane. Jordan lemma removes the large semicircle, and the only enclosed pole is the order-$n$ pole at $t=z$. By the residue at a pole of order n,The residue theorem therefore gives

To continue the integral itself, move the $t$-contour downward locally as $z$ approaches and crosses the real axis, always keeping the pole above the contour. This analytic continuation by contour deformation defineswhere ${\mathcal{C}}_z$ passes below $z$. Closing ${\mathcal{C}}_z$ upward continues to enclose the pole, even when $\mathrm{Im}z\le 0$, sothere as well. The right-hand side is an entire function, so it is the unique analytic continuation of $F$ to the whole complex plane.

If $\mathrm{Im}z>0$, the same upper-half-plane contour calculation givesIf $\mathrm{Im}z<0$, the pole lies below the real integration contour. Closing upward encloses no pole, so Jordan lemma and the Cauchy integral theorem giveHence at a real point $x$ the upper and lower boundary values satisfyThus crossing from the upper half-plane to the lower half-plane produces the negative of this jump.

An analytic continuation must be holomorphic, hence continuous, across every point where it is defined. The undeformed real-axis formula for $G$ has the nonzero jump above, while the continuation constructed in part (c) retains $2\pi i^n{e}^{iz}/(n-1)!$ below the axis. Therefore $G$ cannot be the analytic continuation of $F$.

Consider the meromorphic functionClose the contour with a large semicircle in the upper half-plane, indenting above the three real pole $-1,0,1$. The large-arc integral vanishes by Jordan's lemma, while the upper-half-plane indentation rule givesThe three residue areTheir sum is $\cos 1-1$, so the residue theorem yields

The real part of the integrand is an odd function, so its full-line principal value is zero. Its imaginary part,is an even function. Taking imaginary parts and halving the full-line integral therefore gives

Close the contour in the upper half-plane. The degree assumption and Jordan lemma make the integral over the large semicircle tend to zero, while the absence of real zeros avoids indentations of the contour. The residue theorem therefore givesRepeated roots are handled by the usual higher-order residue formula.

With the stated Fourier transform convention, Fourier inversion givesFor $x>0$, close the contour in the upper half-plane. Jordan lemma removes the semicircle contribution, and the only enclosed pole is $k=ip$. Its residue isThe residue theorem therefore yields