Quadratic divisors of harmonic polynomials in \(\mathbb{R}^n\) (Q5926444)

Let \(Q\) be a polynomial in \(\mathbb{R}^n\) with real coefficients. The authors give some results dealing with when the polynomial \(Q\) divides a non-zero harmonic polynomial. They give a necessary and sufficient condition for a quadratic polynomial \(Q\) to be a divisor of a harmonic polynomial. Although the exact statement of their result is too involved to reproduce here, the basic idea is that the quadratic polynomial \(Q\) divides a non-zero harmonic polynomial if and only if a Fuchsian differential equation has a non-zero solution of a particular form, where the differential equation has coefficients that depend in a specific way on the coefficients of \(Q\). An equivalent and more algebraic characterization is also given. There are also some results of a similar type given for a polynomial \(Q\) of higher degree and having a special form. The paper concludes with some open questions.