Characterization of semi-classical orthogonal polynomials on nonuniform lattices

ABSTRACTWe state and prove characterization theorem for semi-classical orthogonal polynomials on nonuniform lattices (quadratic lattices of a discrete or q-discrete variable). This theorem proves the equivalence between the four characterization properties, namely, the Pearson type equation for the linear functional, the strictly quasi-orthogonality of the derivatives, the structure relation, and the Riccati equation for the formal Stieltjes function. We give the classification of the semi-classical linear functional of class one on nonuniform lattice. Using the definition and the properties of the associated orthogonal polynomials, we prove that semi-classical orthogonal polynomials satisfy the second-order divided difference equation on nonuniform lattices.