Bessel Equation

Bessel equation

[′bes·əl i′kwā·zhən] (mathematics) The differential equation z 2ƒ″(z) + z ƒ′(z) + (z 2-n 2)ƒ(z) = 0.

Bessel Equation

 

a linear differential equation of the second order of the form

x2y” + xy’ + (x2 - p2)y = 0

where the parameter (“index”) p can take on arbitrary (complex) values. The equation is named for F. Bessel. Numerous physics problems reduce to this equation. The solutions of the Bessel equation are called cylinder functions.

P. I. LIZORKIN