A characterization of multiplier sequences for generalized Laguerre bases (Q485324)

Let \(\mathcal P = (P_n(x))_{n\in \mathbb N}\) be a basis of the space of real polynomials \(\mathbb R[x]\). A sequence \((\lambda_n)_{n \in \mathbb N}\) of real numbers is called a \textit{\(\mathcal P\)-multiplier sequence} if the linear operator \(T : \mathbb R[x] \to \mathbb R[x]\) defined by \(T(P_n(x)) = \lambda_n P_n(x)\), \(n \in \mathbb N\), preserves real-rootedness. The multiplier sequences for the monomial basis \((x^n)_n\) were characterized by \textit{G. Pólya} and \textit{I. Schur} [J. Reine Angew. Math. 144, 89--113 (1914; JFM 45.0176.01)], and the characterization of \(\mathcal H\)-multiplier sequences for the Hermite polynomials was obtained by \textit{A. Pietrowski} [Linear operators and the distributions of zeros of entire functions. Manoa: University of Hawaii (Diss.) (2007)]. In this paper, the authors characterize the \(\mathcal L_\alpha\)-multiplier sequences for the generalized Laguerre polynomials \(\mathcal L_\alpha = (L_n^{(\alpha)})_{n \in \mathbb N}\), \(L_n^{(\alpha)}(x) = \sum_{k=0}^n \binom{n+\alpha}{n-\alpha} \frac{(-x)^k}{k!}\), where \(\alpha > -1\). The proof is based on the characterization of linear preservers of real-rootedness due to \textit{J. Borcea} and \textit{P. Brändén} [Ann. Math. (2) 170, No. 1, 465--492 (2009; Zbl 1184.30004)]. In the second part of the paper, the authors apply their methods to reprove Pietrowski's characterization of \(\mathcal H\)-multiplier sequences.