Mathematics

Elliptic boundary problems have enjoyed interest recently, espe­ cially among C* -algebraists and mathematical physicists who want to understand single aspects of the theory, such as the behaviour of Dirac operators and their solution spaces in the case of a non-trivial boundary. However, the theory of elliptic boundary problems by far has not achieved the same status as the theory of elliptic operators on closed (compact, without boundary) manifolds. The latter is nowadays rec­ ognized by many as a mathematical work of art and a very useful technical tool with applications to a multitude of mathematical con­ texts. Therefore, the theory of elliptic operators on closed manifolds is well-known not only to a small group of specialists in partial dif­ ferential equations, but also to a broad range of researchers who have specialized in other mathematical topics. Why is the theory of elliptic boundary problems, compared to that on closed manifolds, still lagging behind in popularity? Admittedly, from an analytical point of view, it is a jigsaw puzzle which has more pieces than does the elliptic theory on closed manifolds. But that is not the only reason.