This book presents contributions of international and local experts from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS-Cameroon) and also from other local universities in the domain of orthogonal polynomials and applications. The topics addressed range from univariate to multivariate orthogonal polynomials, from multiple orthogonal polynomials and random matrices to orthogonal polynomials and Painlevé equations. The contributions are based on lectures given at the AIMS-Volkswagen Stiftung Workshop on Introduction of Orthogonal Polynomials and Applications held on October 5-12, 2018 in Douala, Cameroon. This workshop, funded within the framework of the Volkswagen Foundation Initiative "Symposia and Summer Schools", was aimed globally at promoting capacity building in terms of research and training in orthogonal polynomials and applications, discussions and development of new ideas as well as development and enhancement of networking including south-south cooperation.

Inhalt

Part I: Introduction to Orthogonal Polynomials.- An Introduction to Orthogonal Polynomials.- Classical Continuous Orthogonal Polynomials.- Generating Functions and Hypergeometric Representations of Classical Continuous Orthogonal Polynomials.- Properties and Applications of the Zeros of Classical Continuous Orthogonal Polynomials.- Inversion, Multiplication and Connection Formulae of Classical Continuous Orthogonal Polynomials.- Classical Orthogonal Polynomials of a Discrete and a q-Discrete Variable.- Computer Algebra, Power Series and Summation.- On the Solutions of Holonomic Third-Order Linear Irreducible Differential Equations in Terms of Hypergeometric Functions.- The Gamma Function.- Part II: Recent Research Topics in Orthogonal Polynomials and Applications.- Hypergeometric Multivariate Orthogonal Polynomials.- Signal Processing, Orthogonal Polynomials, and Heun Equations.- Some Characterization Problems Related to Sheffer Polynomial Sets.- From Standard Orthogonal Polynomials to Sobolev Orthogonal Polynomials: The Role of Semiclassical Linear Functionals.- Two Variable Orthogonal Polynomials and Fejér-Riesz Factorization.- Exceptional Orthogonal Polynomials and Rational Solutions to Painlevé Equations.- (R, p, q)-Rogers-Szegö and Hermite Polynomials, and Induced Deformed Quantum Algebras.- Zeros of Orthogonal Polynomials.- Properties of Certain Classes of Semiclassical Orthogonal Polynomials.- Orthogonal Polynomials and Computer Algebra.- Spin Chains, Graphs and State Revival.- An Introduction to Special Functions with Some Applications to Quantum Mechanics.- Orthogonal and Multiple Orthogonal Polynomials, Random Matrices, and Painlevé Equations.