Random walks in compact groups

Abstract

Let $X_1,X_2,\ldots$ be independent identically distributed random elements of a compact group $G$. We discuss the speed of convergence of the law of the product $X_l\cdots X_1$ to the Haar measure. We give poly-log estimates for certain finite groups and for compact semi-simple Lie groups. We improve earlier results of Solovay, Kitaev, Gamburd, Shahshahani and Dinai.