The multivariate Meixner polynomials as matrix elements of SO(d, 1) representations on oscillator states

Abstract

The multivariate Meixner polynomials are shown to arise as matrix elements of unitary representations of the SO(d, 1) group on oscillator states. These polynomials depend on d discrete variables and are orthogonal with respect to the negative multinomial distribution. The emphasis is put on the bivariate case for which the SO(2, 1) connection is used to derive the main properties of the polynomials: orthogonality relation, raising/lowering relations, generating function, recurrence relations and difference equations as well as explicit expressions in terms of standard (univariate) Krawtchouk and Meixner polynomials. It is explained how these results generalize directly to d variables.