Zeta function zeros, powers of primes, and quantum chaos

Abstract

We present a numerical study of Riemann's formula for the oscillating part of the density of the primes and their integer powers. The formula consists of an infinite series of oscillatory terms, one for each zero of the zeta function on the critical line, and was derived by Riemann in his paper on primes, assuming the Riemann hypothesis. We show that high-resolution spectral lines can be generated by the truncated series at all integer powers of primes and demonstrate explicitly that the relative line intensities are correct. We then derive a Gaussian sum rule for Riemann's formula. This is used to analyze the numerical convergence of the truncated series. The connections to quantum chaos and semiclassical physics are discussed.