B2.18

Methods of Mathematical Physics
Part II, 2001

The Bessel function Jν(z)J_{\nu}(z) is defined, for argz<π/2|\arg z|<\pi / 2, by

Jν(z)=12πi(0+)e(tt1)z/2tν1dt,J_{\nu}(z)=\frac{1}{2 \pi i} \int_{-\infty}^{\left(0^{+}\right)} \mathrm{e}^{\left(t-t^{-1}\right) z / 2} t^{-\nu-1} d t,

where the path of integration is the Hankel contour and tν1t^{-\nu-1} is the principal branch.

Use the method of steepest descent to show that, as z+z \rightarrow+\infty,

Jν(z)(2/πz)12cos(zπν/2π/4).J_{\nu}(z) \sim(2 / \pi z)^{\frac{1}{2}} \cos (z-\pi \nu / 2-\pi / 4) .

You should give a rough sketch of the steepest descent paths.