Singular left-definite boundary value problems (Q1267797)

Let \(L^2(a,b;w)\) be the space of functions \(y\) on an interval \((a,b)\) for which \(\int^b_a| y|^2wdx< \infty\) and \(H'(a,b; p,q)\) the space of functions \(y\) on \((a,b)\) which are differentiable a.e. and for which \(\int^b_a(p| y'|^2+ q| y|^2)dx< \infty\), where the functions \(p\), \(q\) and \(w\) satisfy appropriate conditions. The author studies the operator \(\ell y=[-(py')'+ qy]/w\) defined on the set of those functions \(y\) of \(H'(a,b;p,q)\) for which \(py'\) is absolutely continuous on closed subintervals in \((a,b)\) and for which \(\ell y\in H'(a,b;p,q)\). Among other results the author shows that the operator \(\ell y\) is selfadjoint. Some applications to generalized Hermite polynomials, to generalized Laguerre polynomials and to Hankel transforms are given.