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-The spherical harmonics $Y_{lm}$ are complete on $L^2(S^2)$. They are also a representation of the (compact) Lie group $SO_3 (\mathbf{R})$.

-The functions $e^{i n x}$ are complete on $L^2([0,2\pi])$. They are also a representation of the (compact) Lie group $U(1).$

My question is basically, how general is this phenomenon? More specifically,

  1. Bessel functions, Hermite polynomials, Legendre polynomials - do each of these represent some Lie group? If so, what is it in each case?

  2. Is there a nice example of some complete functions that represent a non-compact Lie group?

  3. Is there a nice example of some complete functions that do not represent any Lie group at all?

Thanks!

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    A. Klimyk and N. Vilenkin, Studied this in their 3 volume [monography](http://www.amazon.com/Representation-Groups-Special-Functions-Representations/dp/0792314921). They also cover $SL(2, \mathbb{R})$ and $SU(1,1)$ which are not compact.2011-11-03
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    Thank you for the suggestion. I looked at Klimyk and Vilenkin, and I'm sure that the answers to my questions are in there somewhere. However, these books are too advanced for me and I had trouble finding the answers to my questions. Can anyone help out with a more specific answer, or a more basic reference?2011-11-11
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    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigner_D-matrix#Relation_to_spherical_harmonics_and_Legendre_polynomials2015-01-06
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    I think you guys would find this question http://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1163032/geometric-intuitive-meaning-of-sl2-r-su2-etc-representation-the interesting2015-02-24

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