8 Conformal Mappings

Let D be a domain in R2 . The problem of nding a function u : D R such 2 2 that u + u = 0 and u|D = h where h is given, that is, nding harmonic x2 y 2 function with given boundary values, is known as the Dirichlet problem and is much easier to solve for the disc B1 (0) than for a general domain. If D is a domain with the property that for each simple closed curve in D, the interior of lies in D then for each harmonic function u on D there exists another harmonic function v such that u and v satisfy the CR equations. Then the function f (x+iy) = u(x, y)+iv(x, y) is holomorphic. If D is another domain with a holomorphic bijection g : D D then f g : D C is holomorphic and Re (f g) = u g is harmonic. For suitable D the Dirichel problem may be easier to solve. In this chapter we study holomorphic maps between domains. Denition 8.1. Let D be a domain in R2 and f : D R2 a continuously differentiable function. The function f is said to be conformal if it preserves angles. This means that if 1 , 2 : (, ) R2 are continuously differentiable paths with 1 (0) = 2 (0) and 1 (0) = 0, 2 (0) = 0 then the angle between 1 (0) and 2 (0) equals the angle between (f 1 ) (0) and (f 2 ) (0). Conformal mappings and holomorphic functions If we now identify R2 with C in the usual way and put 1 (0 = 2 (0) = z0 , this says that arg 1 (0) arg 2 (0) = arg(f 1 ) (0) arg(f 2 ) (0), that is, arg
1 (0) 2 (0)

= arg

(f 1 ) (0) , (f 2 ) (0)

when all these numbers are dened. Proposition 8.1. If D is a domain in C f : D C is holomorphic and such that f (z) = 0 for all z D then f is conformal. Proof. Let 1 , 2 : (, ) D be continuously differentiable and such that 1 (0) = 2 (0) = x0 . Then arg (f 1 ) (0) (f 2 ) (0) = arg = arg
f (1 (0))1 (0) f (2 (0))2 (0) 1 (0) . 2 (0)

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COMMENT: The converse is also true. This follows from the fact that a linear map x a b x y c d y a b 0 = 0, a = d and b = c. if det c d 0 If f (x + iy) = u(x, y) + iv(x, y) is holomorphic then the CR equations give us that preserves angles at u x uy vx vy satises this property. Example 8.1. Let f (z) = z 2 then f (0) = 0. Let 1 (t) = t, 2 (t) = it, t R. Then f (1 (t)) = t2 , f (2 (t)) = t. The angle between the positive real axis and the positive imaginary axis is and this angle maps to the straight angle, , showing that 2 the condition f (0) = 0 is necessary.

Lecture 22
Last year you studied Mobius transformations, maps of the form z f (z) = az + b cz + d

where a, b, c, d C, ad bc = 0. This Mobius transformation is dened on the d domain C \ { c } and f (z) = ad bc (cz + d)a c(az + b) = = 0. 2 (cz + d) (cz + d)2

We quickly review the properties of Mobius transformation needed for our purposes in this course. PROPERTIES OF MOBIUS TRANSFORMATIONS (i) A Mobius transformation f (z) = az + b cz + d

extends to a bijection of the extended complex plane, C := C {}, with d itself. This is done by dening f ( c ) = and a f () = . c 72

The reasoning behind this choice for f () is that

b a+ z az + b , = cz + d c+ d c b a+ z a if z = 0, and as |z| , . This extension gives a homeomord c c+ c phism of the extended complex plane (when identied with the Riemann sphere).

(ii) If we let w =

az + b then cz + d (cz + d)w = az + b (cw a)z = dw + b dw + b . w = cw a

We see that the inverse of a Mobius transformation is again a Mobius transformation. (iii) The composition of two Mobius transformations is a Mobius transfor mation,and with composition as multiplication Mobius transformations form a group. If we let GL(2, C) denote the group of invertible 2 2 matrices with complex coefcients, the map given by a b c d = az + b , cz + d

denes a surjective homomorphism from GL(2, C) onto the group of Mobius transformations. The kernel of is the subgroup of invertible scalar matrices. The coefcients of a, b, c, d are only determined up to multiplication by a non-zero complex number. (iv) Two complex numbers and are said to be inverse points for a circle of centre a and radius r, |z a| = r, if ( a)( a) = r2 . The inverse points lie on a ray coming from a. The equation z = , z , C, = , > 0, = 1, denes a circle with inverse points and ; the equation z = 1, z 73

gives a line. If w = f (z) = then the circline given by z = z az + b , cz + d

is mapped to a circline given by an equation of the form w f () = , w f () provided that f () = , f () = . Mobius transformations map circlines to circlines. A circline is de termined by three points, that is , given three distinct points there is a unique circline containing those points. To nd the image of a circline by a Mobius transformation, it is sometimes convenient to keep track of the image of three points.

Example 8.2. Find a bijective conformal map from upper half of the complex plane H+ := {z C : Im z > 0} onto D = {z C : |z| < 1}. zi zi then z H+ iff |w| < 1 < 1}. Put w = z+i z+i zi and the Mobius transformation f (z) = z+i solves the problem. Alternatively, we note that , 0, 1 all lie on the boundary of H+ and that 1, 1, i lie on the az + b boundary of D. We calculate the Mobius transformation f (z) = mapcz + d ping to 1, 0 to 1 and 1 to i: Note that H+ = {z C : 1 0 1 a = 1 a = c, c

b = 1 b = d, d a+b = i. c+d

1i So

cd = i. c+d We know the coefcients a, b, c, d are only determined up to multiplication by a non-zero constant so for simplicity we take c = 1. This immediately gives 74

us that a = 1. Also 1 d = i(1 + d) 1 = i = d(1 + i). So d = b = i. We now consider the map w = f (z) =

1i 1+i

= i and and

z+i . zi We must check whether this maps H+ to D but immediately we see that i H+ maps to and f (z) = z+i maps H+ to the outside of D. This is easily zi 1 remedied by composing with the map w . w 1 In this exercise we used the Mobius transformation z and it is worth z noting one of its key properties: it maps any circline through 0 to one through , that is, it maps a circline through 0 to a line. Example 8.3. Find the image by the map z
1 z

of the disc given by |z 1| < 1 .

Three convenient points on the circle are 0,1 + i and 2. These points map to 1 , 1i and 1 , respectively, which lie on the line given by Re z = 2 . The centre 2 2 of the circle is at 1 which is mapped to itself. Thus the disc is mapped onto the 1 domain Re z > 2 .
1 Note also that z z maps the unit circle given by |z| = 1 to itself but it maps the inside containing 0 to the outside containing .

Example 8.4. Find a conformal map between H+ D = {z C : Im z > 0, |z| < 1} and D = {z C : |z| = 1}. Notice that the boundary of H+ D has two right-angled corners and the boundary of D has none and so the map we seek is not a Mobius transformation which is conformal at all points except possibly at one which it maps to . However, we might use a Mobius transformation to map one corner, say that at 1, to , and the other at 1 to 0. As both components of the boundary intersect orthogonally at 1, both components being parts of circlines are mapped to circlines through , that is, to lines which intersect orthogonally. The image of the boundary of H+ D is mapped to a region between two orthogonal lines intersecting at 0. We know that the map z z 2 will double the angle at 0 and maps a quadrant to a half plane. The previous example tells us what to do next. We put this plan into action. z1 The map f (z) = maps 1 to 0 and 1 to . It maps the circle given by z+1 |z| = 1 and the real axis to two lines intersecting orthogonally at 0. This map f 75

sends 0 to 1 and so maps the real axis to itself. Then f (i) = i1 = i so f sends i+1 that part of the circle given by |z| = 1 lying in H+ to the positive part of the imaginary axis. From this we see that H+ D maps to {z C : < arg z < }. 2 We rotate this second quadrant back to lie in the rst quadrant by multiplying z1 maps H+ D to the rst quadrant. Next by i. Then the map z (i) z+1 we compose this map with z z 2 to get z z1 z+1
2

which maps H+ D onto H+ . Composing with the Mobius transformation used in the previous exercise we get z
z1 2 z+1 z1 2 z+1

+i i

(z 1)2 + i(z + 1)2 (z 1)2 i(z + 1)2

mapping H+ D onto D. This map is bijective because it is a composition of maps which are bijective on the domains described in the construction.

Lecture 23
We explore the exponential maps z ez and z eiz . First we consider z ez . If z = x + iy, then z ez becomes x + iy ex .eiy . If c R is xed then c + iy ec .eiy . The line Re z = c is wrapped around the circle |z| = ec . The line Im z = c, is parametrised by x x + ic and x + ic ex .eic . Thus the line Im z = c maps to the ray arg z = c. Example 8.5. Find a conformal mapping from the strip {z C : 0 < Re z < 1} onto the annulus {z C : 1 < |z| < e}. On the boundary line Re z = 0, iy eiy lying on the circle |z| = 1; on the boundary line Re = 1, 1 + iy e.eiy lying on the circle |z| = e. So the map z ez maps the given strip onto the given annulus. Example 8.6. Find a conformal mapping from the strip {z : 0 < Re z < 1} onto the annulus where 0 < a < b, are given. {z : a < |z| < b}, 76

We see that the strip {z : log a < Re z < log b} is mapped by z ez onto the annulus {z : 0 < a < |z| < b}.
b Then z log a + (log b log a)z = log a + log( a )z maps the strip given by 0 < Re z < 1 onto the strip given by log a < Re z < log b. Composing the maps we get z b b z elog a+log( a )z = a a

which maps {z : 0 < Re z < 1} onto the annulus Next we explore z eiz . For the line Re z = c: c + iy ei(c+iy) = ey eic . The line Re z = c maps to the ray arg z = c. For the line Im z = c: x + ic eix ec . The line Im z = c maps to the circle given by|z| = ec . Example 8.7. Find a bijective conformal mapping from {z : 0 < Re z < , Im z > 0} onto D = {z : |z| < 1}. Notice that the boundary has two corners. Try z eiz . This map is 1-1 on the given domain. Then x + iy w = eix .ey and if y > 0 and 0 < x < , then |w| < 1 and 0 < arg < . The image is H+ D. We have already solved the (z1)2 +i(z+1)2 problem of mapping H+ D onto D by taking the map z (z1)2 +i(z+1)2 . A map solving this problem given by the composition: z (eiz 1)2 + i(eiz + 1)2 . eiz 1)2 i(eiz + 1)2 {z : 0 < a < |z| < b}.

Example 8.8. Find a conformal mapping from 1 1 {z : |z | > , |z| < 1} 4 4 onto an annulus. 77

Here we are asked to nd a conformal mapping from a region between two circles which are not concentric onto a region between two concentric circles. Mobius transformations map inverse points to inverse points and do not, in general, map centres to centres. So we might try to solve this problem using Mobius transformations. Any two non-intersecting circles share a common pair of inverse points, that is, the circles can be written in the form z = 1 and z z = 2 . z

Then the map z w = z will map these circles to circles given by |w| = 1 z and |w| = 2 which are concentric. So our problem has been reduced to nding 1 the common inverse points for the circles |z 4 | = 1 and |z| = 1. The common 4 inverse points are collinear with both centres, 1 and 0, and lie on the real axis. 4 This simplies our calculation. 1 If and are inverse points for the circle given by |z 4 | = 1 then 4 1 4 1 4 = 1 4
2

1 16,

(no conjugation involved because all points are real); if and |beta are inverse points for the circle given by |z| = 1 then ( 1 0)( 0) = 1, that is, = 1 and = . Substituting we get: 1 1 1 1 ( )( ) = 4 4 16 1 ( )(1 ) = 4 4 16 (4 1)(4 ) = 42 + 17 4 = 2 4 + 1 = 0 4 16 4 = 2 3. = 2 Let = 2 3 and = 2 + 3. Then lies inside and lies outside both circles. To nd the equation of the form z (2 3 = 1 z (2 + 3
1 1 for the circle given by |z 4 | = 1 , we note that 0 satises |z 4 | = 1 . Hence 4 4

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To nd the equation of the form

2 3 0 (2 3 = = 7 4 3. 1 = 0 (2 + 3 2+ 3 z (2 3 = 2 z (2 + 3

for the unit circle given by |z| = 1, we note that 1 satises |z| = 1. Hence 1 (2 3 31 = 2 = = 2 3. 1 (2 + 3 3+1 {z : 7 4 3 < |z| < 2 3}.

So z

z(2 3 z(2+ 3)

maps the given domain onto the annulus

Lecture 24
Example 8.9. Dene a branch of We seeking a holomorphic function f such that (f (z))2 = z 2 1. For a 1 2 particular value of z C, z 2 1 is dened to be elog(z 1) 2 . We know that log is a multivalued function with a branch point at 0 and z 2 1 = 0 if z = 1 or z = 1. We should expect our function to have branch points at 1 and 1. We simplify the problem by factorising. Note that z 2 = (z 1)(z + 1). We 1 proceed by dening branches of the factors z 1 and z + 1. First we dene a holomorphic function f1 such that (f1 (z))2 = z 1 with domain C \ [1, ) by arg(z1) 1 taking f1 (z) = |z 1| 2 ei 2 where 0 < arg(z 1) < 2. Similarly, we dene holomorphic g1 such that (g1 (z))2 = z + 1 with domain C \ [1, ) by taking arg(z+1) 1 g1 (z) = |z + 1| 2 ei 2 where 0 arg(z + 1) < 2. We also dene holomorphic g2 such that (g2 (z))2 = z + 1, this time with domain C \ (, 1] by taking arg(z+1) 1 g2 (z) = |z + 1| 2 ei 2 where < arg(z + 1) < . Then (f1 (z)g1 (z))2 = z 2 1. Both f1 and g1 change by a factor of 1 across their cuts, [1, ) and 2 [1, ), respectively, (ei 2 = ei = 1). In the product the factors cancel out across [1, ) and so the product f1 g1 can be extended so as to be continuous across [1, ). It follows that the product is holomorphic on C \ [1, +1] with a jump of a factor 1 across [1, 1]. The other product f1 g2 is holomorphic on C \ [(, 1] [1, )] with jumps across , 1] and[1, ). Example 8.10. Let a > 1 and calculate
1 1

z 2 1.

1 dx. (x a) 1 x2 79

 For this problem we chose the branch f1 g1 of z 2 1 which is homomorphic on C \ [1, 1]. We exploit the jump across [1, 1]. Let R > a. Then 1 dz (z a) z 2 1
2

|z|=R

Rieit dt Reit a) (Reit )2 1

0 2 0

1 = O( ) R which 0 as R . Hence
|z|=R

R dt (R a) R2 1

1 dz = 0. (z a) z 2 1 1 dz+ (z a) z 2 1 1 dz (z a) z 2 1

Further, 1 dz = (z a) z 2 1
|z|= a+1 2 |za|= a1 2

|z|=R

by the deformation version of Cauchys Integral Theorem. Now 1 1 dz = 2i . 21 21 (z a) z a

|za|= a1 2

Deforming the circle, |z| = a+1 , within the domain {z : |z| < a} \ [1, 1] to 2 atten it so it runs along the interval [1, 1] from 1 to 1 then back along from 1 to 1, we nd that
1 1 1 1 1 dz dz dz = 21 2 1) 2 a+1 (z a) z 1 (z a)( z 1)+ 1 (z a)( z |z|= 2 where ( z 2 1) is the limiting value of the branch of z 2 1 taken from below the real axis and ( z 2 1)+ is the limiting value of the branch of z 2 1 taken from above the real axis. The difference between the two branches is a factor 1. At this point we wont describe the limiting value of branch exactly but simply observe that it must be one of i 1 x2 because (i 1 x2 )2 = x2 1 and

|z|= a+1 2

1 dz = 2 (z a) z 2 1
1

1 1

1 i dx. (x a) 1 x2

Therefore, 2i

1 1 dx + 2i =0 (x a) 1 x2 a2 1 80

and so

1 1

the choice of sign being clear because x a < 0 when x [1, 1]. ANOTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT THE MULTIFUNCTION z 2
2 2 2 The function z z is not one-to-one because (z) = z and its inverse z is a multifunction which, for z = 0, gives two values. The graph of z z 2 is {(z, z 2 ) : z C}.

1 dx = , (x a) 1 x2 a2 1

If we switch the factors in the graph of z 2 we get the set

G = {(z 2 , z) : z C}, the graph of the inverse multifunction z. Let 1 , 2 : C C C be given by 1 (z, w) = z and 2 (z, w) = w. Then 2 is a well dened function on G and 2 |G : G C can be thought of as the function z and G as the Riemann surface z. The complication of a multifunction of has been transferred by dening z on a more complicated domain. Notice that except at (0, 0) on G, z is a two-to-one function.

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