On the deficiency indices of a differential operator of fourth order (Q1907416)

The note deals with the minimal differential operator, generated by the expression \[ \ell y= (x^{4+ b} y'')''- a(x^{2+ b} y')'+ cx^b y, \] where \(a\), \(b\), \(c\) are real constants and \(b> 0\). Using the approach by \textit{R. B. Paris} and \textit{A. D. Wood} [Proc. R. Soc. Edinb., Sect. A 90, 209-236 (1981; Zbl 0483.34014)], the author proves that for a \(\geq - 3b/2- 9/4\) the deficiency indices are equal to (2,2); for \(a<- 3/2b- 9/4\) one can select \(c\) such that the deficiency indices is equal to (3,3); for \(a<- 2b- 5/2\) there exists \(c\) such that the deficiency indices is (4, 4).