On generalized Stieltjes functions

Abstract

It is shown that a function $f$ is a generalized Stieltjes function of order $\lambda>0$ if and only if $x^{1-\lambda}(x^{\lambda-1+k}f(x))^{(k)}$ is completely monotonic for all $k\geq 0$, thereby complementing a result due to Sokal. Furthermore, a characterization of those completely monotonic functions $f$ for which $x^{1-\lambda}(x^{\lambda-1+k}f(x))^{(k)}$ is completely monotonic for all $k\leq n$ is obtained in terms of properties of the representing measure of $f$.