Cauchy problems for some classes of linear fractional differential equations

Abstract

Cauchy problems for a class of linear differential equations with constant coefficients and Riemann-Liouville derivatives of real orders, are analyzed and solved in cases when some of the real orders are irrational numbers and when all real orders appearing in the derivatives are rational numbers. Our analysis is motivated by a forced linear oscillator with fractional damping. We pay special attention to the case when the leading term is an integer order derivative. A new form of solution, in terms of Wright's function for the case of equations of rational order, is presented. An example is treated in detail.