Cubic String Boundary Value Problems and Cauchy Biorthogonal Polynomials

Abstract

Cauchy Biorthogonal Polynomials appear in the study of special solutions to the dispersive nonlinear partial differential equation called the Degasperis-Procesi (DP) equation, as well as in certain two-matrix random matrix models. Another context in which such biorthogonal polynomials play a role is the cubic string; a third order ODE boundary value problem -f'''=zg f which is a generalization of the inhomogeneous string problem studied by M.G. Krein. A general class of such boundary value problems going beyond the original cubic string problem associated with the DP equation is discussed under the assumption that the source of inhomogeneity g is a discrete measure. It is shown that by a suitable choice of a generalized Fourier transform associated to these boundary value problems one can establish a Parseval type identity which aligns Cauchy biorthogonal polynomials with certain natural orthogonal systems on L^2_g.