Generalized q-Hermite Polynomials

We consider two operators A and A ⁺ in a Hilbert space of functions on the exponential lattice , where 0<q<1. The operators are formal adjoints of each other and depend on a real parameter . We show how these operators lead to an essentially unique symmetric ground state ψ₀ and that A and A ⁺ are ladder operators for the sequence . The sequence (ψ _n /ψ₀) is shown to be a family of orthogonal polynomials, which we identify as symmetrized q-Laguerre polynomials. We obtain in this way a new proof of the orthogonality for these polynomials. When γ=0 the polynomials are the discrete q-Hermite polynomials of type II, studied in several papers on q-quantum mechanics. Received: 6 December 1999 / Accepted: 21 May 2001