On the limit-classifications of even and odd-order formally symmetric differential expressions (Q1431073)

A criterion is developed to characterize the deficiency indices of the minimal symmetric operator associated with a closed unbounded ordinary linear differential operator of odd or even order \(m\) on \(L_2(0,\infty)\). Let \(M[f]\) be a formally symmetric differential expression of order \(m\) with continuously differentiable coefficients on \([0.\infty)\) which determines a closed operator \(T_{\max}\) and a minimal symmetric operator \(T_{\min}\) on \(L_2(0.\infty)\). Let \(N_\pm\) be the deficiency indices of \(T_{\min}\) and let \([f,g](x)\) be the sesquilinear form associated with \(M[f]\), \(x\in[0,\infty)\). \(f,g\in D(T_{\max})\). \(M\) is said to be in the limit \((N_+,N_-)\) case at \(\infty\) if \(N_+,N_-\) are the deficiency indices. Given \(m=2k-1\) how can one determine if \((k-1+p, k+q)\) is in the limit case for \(0\leq p\leq k\), \(0\leq q\leq k-1?\) The answer is to choose \(n=p+q\). Theorem: If (i) \(\underset{r,s\in N_{n+1}} {\text{det}}[f_r,g_s] (\infty)=0\) for all \(f_r\), \(g_s\in D(T_{\max})\), and (ii) \(\underset{r,s\in N_n}{\det} [f_r,g_s](\infty)\neq 0\) for some \(f_r\), \(g_s\in D(T_{\max})\), then \((k-1+p,k+q)=(N_+-N_-)\). When \(n=3\) the theorem becomes limit \((1,2)\), limit \((2,2)\), limit \((3,3)\) correspond to \((1,1)\), \((2,2)\) order \(N_{n+1}\) determinants. The criterion for even order \(m\) is similar. Choosing \(p=q=0\) results in the limit point case at \(\infty\) [\textit{W. N. Everitt} and \textit{K. Kumar}, Nieuw Arch. Wiskd., III. Ser. 24, 1--48 (1976; Zbl 0339.34019)]. The question whether \((2,2)\), \((3,3)\) are deficiency indices for \(m=3\) is left open.