B3.19

Methods of Mathematical Physics
Part II, 2003

Let

f(λ)=γeλ(tt3/3)dt,λ real and positive f(\lambda)=\int_{\gamma} e^{\lambda\left(t-t^{3} / 3\right)} d t, \quad \lambda \text { real and positive }

where γ\gamma is a path beginning at e2iπ/3\infty e^{-2 i \pi / 3} and ending at ++\infty (on the real axis). Identify the saddle points and sketch the paths of constant phase through these points.

Hence show that f(λ)e2λ/3π/λf(\lambda) \sim e^{2 \lambda / 3} \sqrt{\pi / \lambda} as λ\lambda \rightarrow \infty.