Wigner Functions for a Class of Semidirect Product Groups

Following a general method proposed earlier, we construct here Wigner functions defined on coadjoint orbits of a class of semidirect product groups. The groups in question are such that their unitary duals consist purely of representations from the discrete series and each unitary irreducible representation is associated with a coadjoint orbit. The set of all coadjoint orbits (hence UIRs) is finite and their union is dense in the dual of the Lie algebra. The simple structure of the groups and the orbits enables us to compute the various quantities appearing in the definition of the Wigner function explicitly. Possible use of the Wigner functions so constructed, in image analysis and quantum optical measurements, is suggested. Based in part on a thesis submitted by one of us (AEK) to Concordia University. 1