Uniform and Exponential Asymptotics with Applications to Orthogonal Polynomials

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DMS-9970489In this proposal a number of projects will be undertaken. As oneof the main areas of research, uniform asymptotic theories involving acoalescing turning point and pole, developed earlier by Dunster, will beused in the study of non-classical orthogonal polynomials (with an emphasison the Meixner, Pollaczek and Charlier polynomials). These earlierasymptotic theories will also be used in the study of certain singularlyperturbed boundary value problems arising from population biology. Also inthis proposal Dunster intends to sum certain classical uniform asymptoticAiry function expansions (involving a large parameter and a turning point)into convergent representations. The new results would then have animmediate application to Bessel functions of large order and Legendrefunctions of large degree. A central and unifying component of the proposedproblems is the development of explicit and realistic error bounds.More generally, this proposal is based on the approximation of theso-called special functions. Special functions are solutions of certainequations which appear in many areas of physics, engineering andmathematics. This is a very classical branch of mathematics that hasalready contributed much to our understanding of the physical world.Numerical and theoretical results concerning special functions are still ofgreat importance in virtually all of the physical sciences. Morever, duringthe past decade there have been a series of new and exciting ideas leadingto significant improvements in the accuracy of asymptotic methods, such asthe so-called "exponential asymptotics" pioneered by the mathematicalphysicist Michael Berry. In this project Dunster intends to use and extendthese ideas in a number of directions. One aspect of the proposal is toobtain approximations which are valid for a wider range of variables thanobtained previously. An immediate advantage of these more powerfulapproximations is that there is greater flexibility in their use innumerical applications, as well as having important theoreticalimplications.