Hausdorff moment sequences induced by rational functions

Abstract

We study the Hausdorff moment problem for a class of sequences, namely $(r(n))_{n\in\mathbb Z_+},$ where $r$ is a rational function in the complex plane. We obtain a necessary condition for such sequence to be a Hausdorff moment sequence. We found an interesting connection between Hausdorff moment problem for this class of sequences with finite divided differences and convolution of complex exponential functions. We provide a sufficient condition on the zeros and poles of a rational function $r$ so that $(r(n))_{n\in\mathbb Z_+}$ is a Hausdorff moment sequence. G. Misra asked whether the module tensor product of a subnormal module with the Hardy module over the polynomial ring is again a subnormal module or not. Using our necessary condition we answer the question of G. Misra in negative. Finally, we obtain a characterization of all real polynomials $p$ of degree up to $4$ and a certain class of real polynomials of degree $5$ for which the sequence $(1/p(n))_{n\in\mathbb Z_+}$ is a Hausdorff moment sequence.