Let be a polynomial in the variables with real coefficients such that is a product of linear polynomials with positive coefficients, that is, , where where , and . The Shintani zeta function in the variable is given by (the meromorphic continuation of)
The multi-variable version
The definition of Shintani zeta function has a straightforward generalization to a zeta function in several variables given byThe special case when k = 1 is the Barnes zeta function.
Relation to Witten zeta functions
Just like Shintani zeta functions, Witten zeta functions are defined by polynomials which are products of linear forms with non-negative coefficients. Witten zeta functions are however not special cases of Shintani zeta functions because in Witten zeta functions the linear forms are allowed to have some coefficients equal to zero. For example, the polynomial defines the Witten zeta function of but the linear form has -coefficient equal to zero.
Shintani, Takuro (1976), "On evaluation of zeta functions of totally real algebraic number fields at non-positive integers", Journal of the Faculty of Science. University of Tokyo. Section IA. Mathematics, 23 (2): 393–417, ISSN0040-8980, MR0427231, Zbl0349.12007