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Confluent Hypergeometric Differential Equation


\begin{displaymath}
xy''+(b-x)y'-ay = 0,
\end{displaymath} (1)

where $y'\equiv dy/dx$ and with boundary conditions
\begin{displaymath}
{}_1F_1(a;b;0)= 1
\end{displaymath} (2)


\begin{displaymath}
\left[{{\partial\over\partial x} {}_1F_1(a;b;x)}\right]_{x=0} = {a\over b}.
\end{displaymath} (3)

The equation has a Regular Singular Point at 0 and an irregular singularity at $\infty$. The solutions are called Confluent Hypergeometric Function of the First or Second Kinds. Solutions of the first kind are denoted ${}_1F_1(a;b;x)$ or $M(a,b,x)$.

See also Hypergeometric Differential Equation, Whittaker Differential Equation


References

Abramowitz, M. and Stegun, C. A. (Eds.). Handbook of Mathematical Functions with Formulas, Graphs, and Mathematical Tables, 9th printing. New York: Dover, p. 504, 1972.

Arfken, G. ``Confluent Hypergeometric Functions.'' §13.6 in Mathematical Methods for Physicists, 3rd ed. Orlando, FL: Academic Press, pp. 753-758, 1985.

Morse, P. M. and Feshbach, H. Methods of Theoretical Physics, Part I. New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 551-555, 1953.




© 1996-9 Eric W. Weisstein
1999-05-26