Representation of finite order solutions to linear differential equations with exponential sum coefficients

Abstract

We show a necessary and sufficient condition on the existence of finite order entire solutions of linear differential equations $$ f^{(n)}+a_{n-1}f^{(n-1)}+\cdots+a_1f'+a_0f=0,\eqno(+) $$ where $a_i$ are exponential sums for $i=0,\ldots,n-1$ with all positive (or all negative) rational frequencies and constant coefficients. Moreover, under the condition that there exists a finite order solution of (+) with exponential sum coefficients having rational frequencies and constant coefficients, we give the precise form of all finite order solutions, which are exponential sums. It is a partial answer to Gol'dberg-Ostrovski\v{i} Problem and Problem 5 in \cite{HITW2022} since exponential sums are of completely regular growth.