Matrix elements of irreducible representations of \(\mathrm{GL} (n + 1) \times\mathrm{GL} (n + 1)\) and multivariable matrix-valued orthogonal polynomials (Q2286480)

This paper gives a ``basic theory for the existence of families of multi-variable matrix-valued orthogonal polynomials, that are simultaneous eigenfunctions of a commutative algebra of differential operators''. Families like this were discussed in [\textit{M. van Pruijssen}, Int. Math. Res. Not. 2018, No. 7, 2208--2239 (2018; Zbl 1406.33012)], where ``The existence is based on examples and an \textit{ad hoc} analysis of the involved spectra'', as the authors state in their \S1.2. After an extensive section \textbf{Introduction} (\(5\) pages), the paper consists of two parts. In \textbf{Part 1} (Generalities on spherical functions in the multiplicity free setting; \(13\) pages) the authors give the basic theory of \textit{Matrix-valued special functions} and \textit{Matrix-values orthogonal polynomials}. In \textbf{Part 2} (The case \(\mathrm{(U,K)}=\mathrm{SU}(n+1) \times \mathrm{SU}(n+1), \operatorname{diag} \mathrm{SU}(n+1)\), \(25\) pages), the authors treat in several sections \begin{itemize} \item Structure theory and zonal spherical functions, \item Inverting the branch rule, \item The matrix weight, \item Differential equations, \item Examples. \end{itemize} The paper concludes with a list of \textbf{References} (\(50\) items). A meticulously written, deep paper.