On the uniqueness of asymptotic solutions to linear differential equations (Q1582291)

The author considers the \(n\)th-order \((n\geq 2)\) linear homogeneous differential equation \[ w^{(n)}+ f_{n- 1}(z) w^{(n- 1)}+\cdots+ f_0(z) w=0\tag{1} \] in the neighborhood of infinity, where \(f_\ell(z)\), \(\ell= 0,1,\dots,n- 1\), are analytic at infinity. Formal solutions to (1) are given by \[ e^{\lambda_j z} z^{\mu_j} \sum^\infty_{s= 0} a_{sj}/z^s,\quad j= 1,2,\dots, n, \] with \(a_{0j}= 1\). The author restricts his attention to the case in which the \(\lambda_j\) are distinct. From the \(\lambda_j\)'s the author classifies explicit solutions and implicit solutions. Here, asymptotic properties of both solutions are discussed. One of the main results is that explicit solutions can be defined uniquely by their asymptotic behavior along a single ray.