An asymptotic approximation for incomplete Gauss sums. II (Q2475393)

The incomplete Gauss sum of order \(p>1\) is \(S_m(x;p)=\sum_{j=0}^{m-1} e^{\pi ixj^p}\). When the terms are regarded as unit vectors in the complex plane, the trace of the sum as \(m\) increases consists of a series of spirals. The principal spiral corresponds to the terms \(1\leq m<M_0\) with \(M_0=\left({2\over px}\right)^{1/(p-1)}\). In an earlier paper in [J. Comput. Appl. Math. 180, No. 2, 461--477 (2005; Zbl 1099.11041)], the author derived an asymptotic expansion for \(S_m(x;p)\) as \(x\rightarrow 0^+\) valid for an integer \(p\) throughout the principal spiral. In this paper, the expansion is resumed to give a more satisfactory approximation near the end of the principal spiral: \[ S_m(x;p)\sim m _1F_1\left({1\over p};1+{1\over p}.i\theta\right)+{1\over2}-{1\over2}e^{i\theta}+\sigma(x;p) + {e^{i\theta}\over 2\pi i} \sum_{j=0}^\infty {C_j(p)\over(2\pi im)^j} \] Where \(\theta=\pi xm^p, \sigma(x;p)=\sum_{k=1}^\infty {(\pi ix)^k\over k!}\zeta(-kp)\) and the \(C_j(p)\) are explicit polynomials. Formally, this expansion matches another obtained by the author and valid for non-integral \(p\) [J. Comput. Appl. Math. 157, No. 2, 297--308 (2003; Zbl 1162.11370)]. This and additional numerical evidence in the present paper support the conjecture that all the asymptotic expansions hold for non-integral \(p\). The expansion simplifies substantially when \(p=2\), the classical quadratic case, and leads to \[ S_m\left({2\over n};2\right)\sim {\sqrt N(1+i)\over 4} + {1 \over 2} - {1\over2}e^{i\theta}+{e^{i\theta}\over 2\pi i} \sum_{j=0}^\infty {F^{(2j)}(\chi)\over j!(2\pi iN)^j}, \] Where \(F(\chi)=\pi \cot \pi\chi\) and \(\chi=2m/N\), valid for large \(\theta\) in the principal spiral. This agrees with the result of \textit{R. Evans, M. Minei} and \textit{B. Yee} in [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 281, No. 2, 454--476 (2003; Zbl 1028.11047)].