Generalized weights for orthogonal polynomials (Q810215)

The paper deals with investigation of the real weights with respect to which the polynomial solutions of the second-order differential equations \[ (ax^ 2+bx+c)y''+(dx+e)y'=(dn+an(n-1))y,\quad n=0,1,2,..., \] are orthogonal. Weights are sought in the space of hyperfunctions [for example, see \textit{A. Kaneko}, Theory of hyperfunctions (1988; Zbl 0687.46027)]. It is proved that the weights for Jacobi, Laguerre and Hermite polynomials are either classical or distributional weights having supports on the bounded interval, the half line and the whole line, respectively. As far as the Bessel polynomials are concerned the weights are the hyperfunctions (ultradistributions of Gevrey class) with a support at a single point, with respect to which these polynomials are orthogonal on any interval containing the point. In this connection see \textit{R. D. Morton} and \textit{A. M. Krall} [SIAM J. Math. Anal. 2, 604-626 (1978; Zbl 0389.33009)] and \textit{A. M. Krall}, \textit{R. P. Kanwal} and \textit{L. L. Littlejohn} [Oscillation, bifurcation and chaos, Proc. Annu. Semin., Toronto/Can. 1986, CMS Conf. Proc. 8, 227-246 (1987; Zbl 0628.34031)].