On a class of prime entire functions (Q1044338)

The authors consider a factorization problem for entire functions of the form \[ F_\alpha(z)= H(z)- a\alpha(z), \] where \(H\) and \(\alpha\) are entire functions and a is a constant. \textit{Y. Noda} [Kodai Math. J. 4, 480--494 (1981; Zbl 0491.30015)] proved that, for transcendental entire functions \(f\), the set \[ \big\{a\in\mathbb{C}: f(z)+ az\text{ is not prime}\big\} \] is at most countable. The authors obtain a generalization of this result. Given two entire functions \(H\) and \(\alpha\) satisfying the conditions (a) \(\alpha\) has at least one zero, (b) \(T(r,\alpha)= S(r,H)\), and (c) \(H'\) and \(\alpha'\) have no common zeros, the set \[ NP_E(H,\alpha)= \big\{\alpha\in\mathbb{C}: H(z)+ a\alpha(z)\text{ is not prime in the entire sense}\big\} \] is at most countable.