Higher-order self-adjoint boundary-value problems on time scales (Q2496266)

The authors discuss self-adjoint boundary value problems of higher (and even) order on time scales involving both nabla and delta derivatives. The existence and uniqueness of solutions is shown via an equivalent transformation into a system of first order, and boundary conditions which are self-adjoint w.r.t.~the dynamic equation are introduced. It is shown that a corresponding Green's function is symmetric, provided it exists. Moreover, the results are illustrated by a discussion of second and fourth order equations, and it is proved that homogeneous equations can be written equivalently as Hamiltonian systems.