(a) Show that if f satisfies the equation
f′′(x)−x2f(x)=μf(x),x∈R,
where μ is a constant, then its Fourier transform f satisfies the same equation, i.e.
f′′(λ)−λ2f(λ)=μf(λ).
(b) Prove that, for each n≥0, there is a polynomial pn(x) of degree n, unique up to multiplication by a constant, such that
fn(x)=pn(x)e−x2/2
is a solution of (∗) for some μ=μn.
(c) Using the fact that g(x)=e−x2/2 satisfies g=cg for some constant c, show that the Fourier transform of fn has the form
fn(λ)=qn(λ)e−λ2/2
where qn is also a polynomial of degree n.
(d) Deduce that the fn are eigenfunctions of the Fourier transform operator, i.e. fn(x)=cnfn(x) for some constants cn.