A gamma function in two variables

Abstract

We introduce a gamma function $\Ga(x,z)$ in two complex variables which extends the classical gamma function $\Ga(z)$ in the sense that $\lim_{x\to 1}\Ga(x,z)=\Ga(z)$. We will show that many properties which $\Ga(z)$ enjoys extend in a natural way to the function $\Ga(x,z)$. Among other things we shall provide functional equations, a multiplication formula, and analogues of the Stirling formula with asymptotic estimates as consequences.