On the theory of higher-order Painlevé equations (Q2387930)

For the first and second Painlevé equations \(P_1\) and \(P_2\) as well as for their simplest higher-order (in fact, fourth-order) counterparts \(_4P_1\) and \(_4P_2\), the authors present the polynomial Hamiltonians and consider two kinds of tau-functions related to Hamiltonians and Painlevé functions, respectively. They prove that the meromorphity of the Painlevé function ensures the meromorphity of the relevant Hamiltonian function and the holomorphity of the tau-functions. In the case of \(P_2\) and \(_4P_2\), they also study the contiguous relations for the tau-functions implied by the relevant Bäcklund transformations and derive Toda-like equations for them.