English

The Riemann $\Xi$-function from primitive Markovian cycles I: A canonical construction

General Mathematics 2026-02-03 v1

Abstract

Starting from finite, local, reversible Markov dynamics on discrete cycles, we construct a scaling-limit renormalized trace kernel admitting an exact theta-series representation. The construction is entirely Archimedean and uses no Euler products, primes, or arithmetic spectral input. From this limit we define a logarithmic kernel Φ\Phi and prove that it lies in the P\'olya frequency class PF\mathrm{PF}_\infty, yielding via the Schoenberg-Edrei-Karlin classification a canonical Laguerre-P\'olya function Ψ\Psi. Independently, we introduce an Archimedean completion operator and show that, at a self-dual normalization, the completed kernel coincides with the classical theta kernel, whose Mellin transform is the Riemann Ξ\Xi-function. We isolate a single remaining analytic problem relating Ψ\Psi to Ξ(2)\Xi(2\cdot).

Cite

@article{arxiv.2602.01248,
  title  = {The Riemann $\Xi$-function from primitive Markovian cycles I: A canonical construction},
  author = {Douglas F. Watson},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2602.01248},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

29 pages. Feedback welcome and appreciated

R2 v1 2026-07-01T09:30:14.702Z