WKB analysis of Painlevé transcendents with a large parameter. I (Q1915382)

Solutions of Painlevé equations \((P_J)\) with large parameter \(\eta\) are studied. They arise as conditions for isomonodromic deformation of certain Schrödinger equations \((SL_J)\) with a large parameter \(\eta\) (some turning point of the equation is forced to become double). Both the \(P_J\) and \(SL_J\) are listed \((J = I\), \(II, \dots, VI)\). The deformation equation is given. It is shown that any formal solution \(\lambda_J\) introduced can be locally reduced to \(\lambda_I\). The transformation of the Painlevé transcendents is achieved by studying the underlying Schrödinger equations together with their deformation equations. Intricate relations between the Stokes geometry of \(SL_J\) and \(P_J\) will be discussed in subsequent articles of the series. In the appendix the confluence procedure for \(P_J\) and \(SL_J\) is treated.