Let X=(X1,…,Xd) be an Rd-valued random variable. Given u=(u1,…,ud)∈ Rd we let
ϕX(u)=E(ei⟨u,X⟩)
be its characteristic function, where ⟨⋅,⋅⟩ is the usual inner product on Rd.
(a) Suppose X is a Gaussian vector with mean 0 and covariance matrix σ2Id, where σ>0 and Id is the d×d identity matrix. What is the formula for the characteristic function ϕX in the case d=1 ? Derive from it a formula for ϕX in the case d⩾2.
(b) We now no longer assume that X is necessarily a Gaussian vector. Instead we assume that the Xi 's are independent random variables and that the random vector AX has the same law as X for every orthogonal matrix A. Furthermore we assume that d⩾2.
(i) Show that there exists a continuous function f:[0,+∞)→R such that
ϕX(u)=f(u12+…+ud2)
[You may use the fact that for every two vectors u,v∈Rd such that ⟨u,u⟩=⟨v,v⟩ there is an orthogonal matrix A such that Au=v. ]
(ii) Show that for all r1,r2⩾0
f(r1+r2)=f(r1)f(r2).
(iii) Deduce that f takes values in (0,1], and furthermore that there exists α⩾0 such that f(r)=e−rα, for all r⩾0.
(iv) What must be the law of X ?
[Standard properties of characteristic functions from the course may be used without proof if clearly stated.]