Charting the $q$-Askey scheme

Abstract

Following Verde-Star, Linear Algebra Appl. 627 (2021), we label families of orthogonal polynomials in the $q$-Askey scheme together with their $q$-hypergeometric representations by three sequences $x_k, h_k, g_k$ of Laurent polynomials in $q^k$, two of degree 1 and one of degree 2, satisfying certain constraints. This gives rise to a precise classification and parametrization of these families together with their limit transitions. This is displayed in a graphical scheme. We also describe the four-manifold structure underlying the scheme.