No label defined (Q4350129)

The object of mathematical interest of this paper is the equation \[ -y''+q(x)y=\lambda y, \quad x\geq 0. \] Using results of \textit{P. W. Walker} [Proc. R. Soc. Edinb., Sect. A 120, No. 1/2, 117-127 (1992; Zbl 0748.34011)] the authors introduce an algorithm to compute the ratio \(y'(x_0)/y(x_0)\). This ratio is appeared to be unique among decaying solutions. The singular Sturm-Liouville problem arises in physical applications presented in the paper under review: elliptical core optical fibers and the process of photodissociation. It is shown that the new method may be effectively applied to such problems. The review of relevant physical issues is also given. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0866.00046].