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I came across the following series when computing the covariance of a transform of a bivariate Gaussian random vector via Hermite polynomials and Mehler's expansion:

$$ S = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{\rho^n}{n^{1/6}} $$ for $\vert \rho \vert < 1$. We know that $S$ must be finite and satisfy $$ S \le \rho (1-\rho)^{-1} $$ since the original series is dominated by $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \rho^n$.

However, there is a catch if we use for $S$ the upper bound $\rho (1-\rho)^{-1}$, which tends to $\infty$ when $\rho \to 1-$. This happens when the two marginal random variables in the Gaussian vector are almost surely, positively linearly dependent (asymptotically).

So, the target is to obtain a good upper bound, much better than $\rho (1-\rho)^{-1}$ when we restrict $\rho$ to be away from $1$, to reduce the effect of $\rho \to 1-$. In other words, let $1-\rho = \delta$ for some fixed $\delta \in (0,1)$, what is a better upper bound for $S$?

Because of the scaling term $n^{-1/6}$ that induces a divergent series $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} n^{-1/6}$, probably not much improvement should be expected. I have Googled but did not find an illuminating technique for this. Any pointer or help is appreciated. Thank you.

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2 Answers 2

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Let $r:=\rho$, $S(r):=S$, and $a:=1/6$. Let us show that \begin{equation*} S(r)< Cr(1-r)^{a-1}\quad\text{and}\quad S(r)\sim C(1-r)^{a-1},\quad\text{where}\quad C:=\Gamma(1-a). \tag{0} \end{equation*} Everywhere here, the equalities and inequalities are for $r\in(0,1)$, and the limit relations are for $r\uparrow1$.

Indeed, we have \begin{equation*} \frac1{n^a}=\frac1{\Gamma(a)}\,\int_0^\infty u^{a-1}e^{-nu}\,du \end{equation*} and hence \begin{equation*} S(r)=\frac1{\Gamma(a)}\,\int_0^\infty du\, u^{a-1}\,\sum_{n=1}^\infty r^n e^{-nu} =\frac r{\Gamma(a)}\,I(r), \end{equation*} where \begin{align*} I(r)&:=\int_0^\infty du\, \frac{u^{a-1} e^{-u}}{1-r e^{-u}} \\ & =\int_0^\infty du\, \frac{u^{a-1}}{e^u-r} \\ & <\int_0^\infty du\, \frac{u^{a-1}}{1+u-r} \\ & =(1-r)^{a-1}\int_0^\infty dv\, \frac{v^{a-1}}{1+v} \\ &=\Gamma(1-a)\Gamma(a)(1-r)^{a-1}, \end{align*} where we used the substitutions $u=(1-r)v$ and then $\frac1{1+v}=t$. So, the inequality in (0) is proved.

Also, \begin{align*} (1-r)^{1-a}I(r)& =\int_0^\infty dv\, \frac{v^{a-1}}{1+(e^{(1-r)v}-1)/(1-r)} \\ &\to\int_0^\infty dv\, \frac{v^{a-1}}{1+v} , \end{align*} by dominated convergence. So, the asymptotic relation in (0) is proved.

As seen from the above proof, the results in (0) hold for any $a\in(0,1)$.

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  • $\begingroup$ thank you for exposing the mechanisms of estimating $S$. Following your strategy, i did my computation by splitting the limits of the integral into 3 parts, found out that only the integral on the range $u = o(1)$ contributes to the inflation for the magnitude of $S$, and realized that $C (1 - \rho_0)^{-5/6}$ for a constant $C>0$ is the best one can get even when $\rho \le \rho_0 <1$. $\endgroup$
    – Chee
    Jun 25, 2019 at 0:17
  • $\begingroup$ I have now also given an asymptotically exact upper bound. $\endgroup$ Jun 25, 2019 at 10:35
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Your function is the Polylogarithm function $Li_{1/6}(\rho)$. Mathematica indicates the correct asymptotic (at least for real $\rho$) is $\Gamma(5/6)/(1-\rho)^{5/6}+O(1)$.

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  • $\begingroup$ when you said the "correct asymptotic", did you mean the asymptotic when $\rho \to 1-$? Let us restrict $\rho$ to be away from $1$, what is a better upper bound on $S$? Thank you. $\endgroup$
    – Chee
    Jun 24, 2019 at 22:45
  • $\begingroup$ Anyway, your pointer is enough for me to work more on it. Thank you. $\endgroup$
    – Chee
    Jun 24, 2019 at 22:53

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