Legendre rational approximation on the whole line (Q2386579)

The Legendre rational function \(R_l(x)\) is obtained from the Legendre polynomial \(L_l(y)\) of degree \(l\) by the transformation \(y=x/\sqrt{x^2+1}\). The functions \(R_l,l=0,1,2,\dots\) form an orthogonal system in the weighted space \(L^2_\omega(\Lambda)\), where \(\Lambda=(-\infty,\infty)\) is the whole line and \(\omega\) is the weight \(\omega(x):=(x^2+1)^{-3/2}\). One can define various types of weighted \(L^2\)- and Sobolev-spaces and the corresponding orthogonal projections onto the subspaces consisting of all \(R_l\) with \(l\leq N\). Using the close relation to orthogonal polynomials, several estimates are derived for the rational approximations, so obtained, as well as for interpolation at the zeroes of \(R_{N+1}\). The results give the mathematical foundation for a new spectral method on the whole line. A model problem is considered and numerical results are presented.