Singular left-definite boundary value problems
Let \(L^2(a,b;w)\) be the space of functions \(y\) on an interval \((a,b)\) for which \(\int^b_a| y|^2wdx< \infty\) and \(H'(a,b; p,q)\) the space of functions \(y\) on \((a,b)\) which are differentiable a.e. and for which \(\int^b_a(p| y'|^2+ q| y|^2)dx< \infty\), where the functions \(p\), \(q\) and \(w\) satisfy appropriate conditions. The author studies the operator \(\ell y=[-(py')'+ qy]/w\) defined on the set of those functions \(y\) of \(H'(a,b;p,q)\) for which \(py'\) is absolutely continuous on closed subintervals in \((a,b)\) and for which \(\ell y\in H'(a,b;p,q)\). Among other results the author shows that the operator \(\ell y\) is selfadjoint. Some applications to generalized Hermite polynomials, to generalized Laguerre polynomials and to Hankel transforms are given.
scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1210526