Constraints on Airy function zeros from quantum-mechanical sum rules

Abstract

We derive new constraints on the zeros of Airy functions by using the so-called quantum bouncer system to evaluate quantum-mechanical sum rules and perform perturbation theory calculations for the Stark effect. Using commutation and completeness relations, we show how to systematically evaluate sums of the form $S_{p}(n) = \sum_{k \neq n} 1/(\zeta_k - zeta_n)^p$, for natural $p > 1$, where $\zeta_n$ is the $n$-th zero of $Ai(\zeta)$.