Transformations of Markov Processes and Classification Scheme for Solvable Driftless Diffusions

Claudio Albanese, Alexey Kuznetsov

Published 2007-10-08Version 1

We propose a new classification scheme for diffusion processes for which the backward Kolmogorov equation is solvable in analytically closed form by reduction to hypergeometric equations of the Gaussian or confluent type. The construction makes use of transformations of diffusion processes to eliminate the drift which combine a measure change given by Doob's h-transform and a diffeomorphism. Such transformations have the important property of preserving analytic solvability of the process: the transition probability density for the driftless process can be expressed through the transition probability density of original process. We also make use of tools from the theory of ordinary differential equations such as Liouville transformations, canonical forms and Bose invariants. Beside recognizing all analytically solvable diffusion process known in the previous literature fall into this scheme and we also discover rich new families of analytically solvable processes.