10 Bessel FunctionsBessel and Hankel Functions

§10.2 Definitions

Contents
  1. §10.2(i) Bessel’s Equation
  2. §10.2(ii) Standard Solutions
  3. §10.2(iii) Numerically Satisfactory Pairs of Solutions

§10.2(i) Bessel’s Equation

10.2.1 z2⁢d2wdz2+z⁢dwdz+(z2−ν2)⁢w=0.

This differential equation has a regular singularity at z=0 with indices ±ν, and an irregular singularity at z=∞ of rank 1; compare §§2.7(i) and 2.7(ii).

§10.2(ii) Standard Solutions

Bessel Function of the First Kind

10.2.2 Jν⁡(z)=(12⁢z)ν⁢∑k=0∞(−1)k⁢(14⁢z2)kk!⁢Γ⁡(ν+k+1).

This solution of (10.2.1) is an analytic function of z∈ℂ, except for a branch point at z=0 when ν is not an integer. The principal branch of Jν⁡(z) corresponds to the principal value of (12⁢z)ν (§4.2(iv)) and is analytic in the z-plane cut along the interval (−∞,0].

When ν=n (∈ℤ), Jν⁡(z) is entire in z.

For fixed z (≠0) each branch of Jν⁡(z) is entire in ν.

Bessel Function of the Second Kind (Weber’s Function)

10.2.3 Yν⁡(z)=Jν⁡(z)⁢cos⁡(ν⁢π)−J−ν⁡(z)sin⁡(ν⁢π).

When ν is an integer the right-hand side is replaced by its limiting value:

Whether or not ν is an integer Yν⁡(z) has a branch point at z=0. The principal branch corresponds to the principal branches of J±ν⁡(z) in (10.2.3) and (10.2.4), with a cut in the z-plane along the interval (−∞,0].

Except in the case of J±n⁡(z), the principal branches of Jν⁡(z) and Yν⁡(z) are two-valued and discontinuous on the cut ph⁡z=±π; compare §4.2(i).

Both Jν⁡(z) and Yν⁡(z) are real when ν is real and ph⁡z=0.

For fixed z (≠0) each branch of Yν⁡(z) is entire in ν.

Bessel Functions of the Third Kind (Hankel Functions)

These solutions of (10.2.1) are denoted by Hν(1)⁡(z) and Hν(2)⁡(z), and their defining properties are given by

10.2.5 Hν(1)⁡(z)∼2/(π⁢z)⁢ei⁢(z−12⁢ν⁢π−14⁢π)

as z→∞ in −π+δ≤ph⁡z≤2⁢π−δ, and

10.2.6 Hν(2)⁡(z)∼2/(π⁢z)⁢e−i⁢(z−12⁢ν⁢π−14⁢π)

as z→∞ in −2⁢π+δ≤ph⁡z≤π−δ, where δ is an arbitrary small positive constant. Each solution has a branch point at z=0 for all ν∈ℂ. The principal branches correspond to principal values of the square roots in (10.2.5) and (10.2.6), again with a cut in the z-plane along the interval (−∞,0].

The principal branches of Hν(1)⁡(z) and Hν(2)⁡(z) are two-valued and discontinuous on the cut ph⁡z=±π.

For fixed z (≠0) each branch of Hν(1)⁡(z) and Hν(2)⁡(z) is entire in ν.

Branch Conventions

Except where indicated otherwise, it is assumed throughout the DLMF that the symbols Jν⁡(z), Yν⁡(z), Hν(1)⁡(z), and Hν(2)⁡(z) denote the principal values of these functions.

Cylinder Functions

The notation 𝒞ν⁡(z) denotes Jν⁡(z), Yν⁡(z), Hν(1)⁡(z), Hν(2)⁡(z), or any nontrivial linear combination of these functions, the coefficients in which are independent of z and ν.

§10.2(iii) Numerically Satisfactory Pairs of Solutions

Table 10.2.1 lists numerically satisfactory pairs of solutions (§2.7(iv)) of (10.2.1) for the stated intervals or regions in the case ℜ⁡ν≥0. When ℜ⁡ν<0, ν is replaced by −ν throughout.

Table 10.2.1: Numerically satisfactory pairs of solutions of Bessel’s equation.
Pair Interval or Region
Jν⁡(x),Yν⁡(x) 0<x<∞
Jν⁡(z),Yν⁡(z) neighborhood of 0 in |ph⁡z|≤π
Jν⁡(z),Hν(1)⁡(z) 0≤ph⁡z≤π
Jν⁡(z),Hν(2)⁡(z) −π≤ph⁡z≤0
Hν(1)⁡(z),Hν(2)⁡(z) neighborhood of ∞ in |ph⁡z|≤π