A generalized hypergeometric function satisfying four analytic difference equations of Askey-Wilson type (Q1961073)

The author has previously introduced difference generalizations of various Schrödinger operators for integrable quantum many body systems. In the one variable version of one of these Schrödinger operators the eigenfunctions are given in terms of the Gauss hypergeometric function -- it is the eigenfunctions of a discrete generalization of this operator which are the subject of the present paper. The eigenfunctions are generalizations of the Gauss hypergeometric function \(_2F_1\) and it is shown how they can be constructed by generalizing the Barnes integral representation, which involves gamma functions, to a form involving certain generalizations of the gamma function (in Appendix A these latter functions are tied in with the \(q\)-gamma function of Barnes and the \(q\)-sine function of Kurokawa). These functions have a total of eight independent variables, which is four more than the function \(_2F_1\), and the contour integral allows for a study of its analytic properties in all the variables. The latter is also used to show that the five variable Askey-Wilson polynomial can be obtained by taking a suitable limit, and that the function in general satisfies four independent difference eigenequations of Askey-Wilson type.