Asymptotic relation for zeros of cross-product of Bessel functions and applications (Q2414792)

The cross-product of Bessel functions given by \[ f_{\nu,R}(x)=J_\nu(Rx) Y_\nu(x)-J_\nu(x) Y_\nu(Rx), \] where $\nu, x\geq0$ and $R>1$, has an infinite number of simple zeros. The $k\/$th positive zero of $f_{\nu,R}(x)$ is denoted by $a_{\nu,k}$, $k=1, 2, \ldots\,$. By using a known expression for $da_{\nu,k}/d\nu$, the author shows that \[ \lim_{k\to\infty}\frac{a_{kx,k}}{k}=\alpha(x)\qquad x\geq0, \] where $\alpha(x)$ is the unique solution of an initial value problem for a first-order differential equation. In addition, the upper bound $a_{\nu,k}<\frac{\pi k}{R-1}+\frac{\pi\nu}{2R}$ is established. \par These results are applied to the determination of the Pleijel constant Pl for planar annular regions $A_R:=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^2,1<|x|<R\}$, $R>1$. This quantity describes the nodal domain statistics for the eigenfunctions of the Dirichlet problem $\Delta u=-\lambda u$ in $\Omega$, $u=0$ on $\partial\Omega$, where $\Omega\in\mathbb{R}^2$ is a bounded domain. It is shown that \[ \mathrm{Pl}(A_R)\geq\frac{8}{R^2-1} \sup_{x>0}\,\biggl\{\frac{x}{\alpha(x)^2}\biggr\}. \] Some numerical estimates of Pl($A_R)$ for different $R>1$ are given.