The connection problem associated with a Selberg type integral and the $q$-Racah polynomials

Abstract

The connection problem associated with a Selberg type integral is solved. The connection coefficients are given in terms of the $q$-Racah polynomials. As an application of the explicit expression of the connection coefficients, examples of the monodromy-invariant Hermitian form of non-diagonal type are presented. It is noteworthy that such Hermitian forms are intimately related with the correlation functions of non-diagonal type in $\hat{sl_2}$-confromal field theory.