Solutions to difference equations have few defects (Q6158239)

The author investigates the difference equation \[ f(z+1)=R(z,f(z)), \] where \(R(z,f(z))\) is a rational function in \(w\), with coefficients meromorphic in \(z\), growing slowly relative to \(f\), and \(\deg_w(R(z,w))\geq2\). The main result is a strong form of Nevanlinna's Second Main Theorem for solutions of this equation, and generalizes \textit{N. Yanagihara}'s result [Funkc. Ekvacioj, Ser. Int. 23, 309--326 (1980; Zbl 0474.30024); Funkc. Ekvacioj, Ser. Int. 24, 113--124 (1981; Zbl 0474.30025)] from the case of constant coefficients, and from omitted values to defects. Theorem. Let \(f\) be a solution to \(f(z+1)=R(z,f(z))\), suppose that \(\deg_w(R)\geq2\), that the coefficients of \(R\) are slow-growing relative to \(f\), and that \(a\in\mathbb{C}\) is ordinary for \(R\). Then the defect \(\delta_f(a)=0\) and in fact \(m_f(r;a)=o(T_f(r ))\) as \(r\to\infty\) outside of some set of finite measure.