Multiple orthogonal polynomials associated with the modified Bessel functions of the first kind (Q1871830)

In the theory of orthogonality the connection between sequences of orthogonal polynomials (OPS) and the Padé table of rational approximation to a (formal) power series is well known. Already in the days of Ch. Hermite two different types of simultaneous rational `approximation' was known (in connection with transcendence proofs). The concept was studied later by H. Padé, A. Angelesco, K. Mahler, E. N. Nikishin and others. The authors of this paper give an interesting addition to the steadily increasing knowledge of multiple orthogonality along the lines of the Askey-tableau. Using tools connected with Chebyshev-, Markov-Chebyshev- and Nikishin-systems, they introduce the OPS of the first and second type connected with the pair of weights \((\omega_{\nu,c},\omega_{\nu+1,c})\) with \[ \omega_{\nu,c}(x)=x^{\nu/2}I_{\nu}(2\sqrt{x})e^{-cx},\;x>0,\;c>0. \] (the modified Bessel function of the first kind, multiplied by a factor to ensure convergence on the positive real axis). They show that the two kinds of OPS exist, that they are unique (the weights form a Nikishin-system; as a corollary the simultaneous Padé table (of both types) for these functions is normal) and they derive several properties: (a) raising- and lowering-differential operators, (b) a Rodrigues formula for type I; (c) explicit formulae for type I (sums of \({}_3F_1\)'s) and type II (sums of Laguerre polynomials), (d) a recurrence relation for type II, (e) a differential equation for type II.