The elementary solution of dual integral equations

When the theory of Hankel transforms is applied to the solution of certain mixed boundary value problems in mathematical physics, the problems are reduced to the solution of dual integral equations of the typewhere α and ν are prescribed constants and f(ρ) is a prescribed function of ρ [1]. The formal solution of these equations was first derived by Titchmarsh [2]. The method employed by Titchmarsh in deriving the solution in the general case is difficult, involving the theory of Mellin transforms and what is essentially a Wiener-Hopf procedure. In lecturing to students on this subject one often feels the need for an elementary solution of these equations, especially in the cases α = ± 1, ν = 0. That such an elementary solution exists is suggested by Copson's solution [3] of the problem of the electrified disc which corresponds to the case α = –l, ν = 0. A systematic use of a procedure similar to Copson's has in fact been made by Noble [4] to find the solution of a pair of general dual integral equations, but again the analysis is involved and long. The object of the present note is to give a simple solution of the pairs of equations which arise most frequently in physical applications. The method of solution was suggested by a procedure used by Lebedev and Uflyand [5] in the solution of a much more general problem.