Isotropic N-point basis functions and their properties

Abstract

Abstract Isotropic functions of positions r 1 , r 2 , … , r N , i.e. functions invariant under simultaneous rotations of all the coordinates, are conveniently formed using spherical harmonics and Clebsch–Gordan coefficients. An orthonormal basis of such functions provides a formalism suitable for analyzing isotropic distributions such as those that arise in cosmology, for instance in the clustering of galaxies as revealed by large-scale structure surveys. The algebraic properties of the basis functions are conveniently expressed in terms of 6-j and 9-j symbols. The calculation of relations among the basis functions is facilitated by ‘Yutsis’ diagrams for the addition and recoupling of angular momenta.