Non-polynomial $q$-Askey scheme: integral representations, eigenfunction properties, and polynomial limits

We construct a non-polynomial generalization of the $q$-Askey scheme. Whereas the elements of the $q$-Askey scheme are given by $q$-hypergeometric series, the elements of the non-polynomial scheme are given by contour integrals, whose integrands are built from Ruijsenaars' hyperbolic gamma function. Alternatively, the integrands can be expressed in terms of Faddeev's quantum dilogarithm, Woronowicz's quantum exponential, or Kurokawa's double sine function. We present the basic properties of all the elements of the scheme, including their integral representations, joint eigenfunction properties, and polynomial limits.