Functions of a complex variable (S1)
Trinity Term 2012
Lecturer: F Hautmann
• Why complex variables?
⊲ calculational techniques
to compute integrals, solve equations, make series expansions, ...
⊲ functions that are “nice and smooth”
derive their properties from behaviour in the complex plane
Lecture times: Wed, Thu, Fri at 12:00 in the
Martin Wood Lecture Theatre
• Weekly problem sheets posted on lecture webpage: http://
www-thphys.physics.ox.ac.uk/people/FrancescoHautmann/ComplexVariable/
References
• Mathematical methods textbooks containing useful
presentations of complex variable:
[1] P. Dennery and A. Krzywicki: Mathematics for Physicists, Dover
[2] M. Boas: Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences
• Textbooks on complex variables with emphasis on applications:
[3] R. Churchill, Complex variables and applications, McGraw-Hill
[4] G. Carrier, M. Krook and C. Pearson, Functions of a complex variable
• Classic reference books on complex analysis:
[5] L. Ahlfors: Complex analysis
[6] W. Rudin: Real and complex analysis
• Further references:
H. Priestley: Introduction to complex analysis, Oxford University Press
M. Ablowitz and A. Fokas: Complex variables: introduction and applications
Y. Kwok: Applied complex variables, Cambridge University Press
• A good source for worked problems and examples:
M. Spiegel: Complex variables, Schaum’s Outline Series, McGraw-Hill
• Lecture notes by J. Binney on Complex Variable:
http://www-thphys.physics.ox.ac.uk/people/JamesBinney/advcalc.pdf
Synopsis
I The complex plane
II Complex differentiation
III Multi-valued functions
IV Complex integration
V Power series expansions
VI Residue calculus
VII Conformal mapping
VIII Integral transforms
LECTURE 1: OUTLINE
Introduction to complex variables
1.1 The complex plane
• Algebra of complex numbers
• “Extended” complex plane
1.2 Functions on C
• Elementary complex functions
• Functions as “mappings”
1.3 Point sets in the complex plane
• open, closed sets
• compact
• connected
1.1 The complex plane
♦ C = set of complex nos with +, × operations
z = a + ib , i2 = −1
a = Rez , b = Imz
Im z
b 1
0
0
1
0
1
z ρ = mod(z )= | z |
ρ θ=arg(z)
θ
a Re z
b z
z = a + ib = ρeiθ = ρ(cos θ + i sin θ)
z = a − ib = ρe−iθ = ρ(cos θ − i sin θ)
EXTENDED COMPLEX PLANE
(0,0,1)
Riemann S
sphere
z
1
0
0
1
• 1-to-1 correspondence between C and S:
2
iθ r cos θ r sin θ r
ϕ : z = re → , ,
1 + r 1 + r 1 + r2
2 2
֒→ stereographic projection
• z = ∞ defined as the point associated to (0, 0, 1) on S
by ϕ projection
• extended complex plane is C ∪ {z = ∞}
1.2 Elementary functions on C
• Complex polynomials and rational functions
defined by algebraic operations in C
• Complex exponential: ez = ex eiy = ex (cos y + i sin y)
−→ complex trigon. and hyperb. fctns in terms of exp.
e.g. cos z = (eiz + e−iz )/2
• Complex logarithm ln z: eln z = z
⇒ ln z = ln |z| + i(θ + 2nπ), n = 0, ±1, . . . (← multi-valued)
−→ complex powers: z α = eα ln z (α complex)
FUNCTIONS AS MAPPINGS
f : S ⊂ C→C
f : z ∈ S 7→ w = f (z)
• For any subset A of S, image of A through f = f (A) is the set of points
w such that w = f (z) for some z belonging to A.
• f maps A on to f (A)
Example
w = f (z) = ez . Set z = x + iy ; w = ρeiφ . Then ρ = ex ; φ = y .
Im z Im w b
2
f 1111111111
0000000000 f b
lines x = a −→ circles ρ = ea b2 0000000000
1111111111
0000000000
1111111111
1
f 0000000000
1111111111
0000000000
1111111111
lines y = b −→ rays φ = b b1 0000000000
1111111111
a a2 Re z Re w
1
1.3 Point sets in the complex plane
Im z
Neighbourhood δ
of point z0 :
11
00
00
11
00
11 | z − z0 | < δ
z
0
Re z
S ⊂ C.
• z0 ∈ S isolated point of S if there exists a neighbourhood of z0
which does not contain any other point belonging to S
• z0 limit point of S if every neighbourhood of z0 contains
at least one element of S, other than z0 itself
• z0 interior point of S if there exists a neighbourhood of z0
all points of which belong to S
• z0 boundary point of S if every neighbourhood of z0 contains
points of S and points not belonging to S
⊲ Every limit point that is not interior is boundary point.
EXAMPLE. S0 = {z ∈ C : 0 < |z| < 1}
• z = 0 is boundary point; each point on circle |z| = 1 is boundary point.
♦ A set is closed if it contains all its limit points.
Ex.: {z : |z| ≤ 1}
♦ A set is open if all its points are interior points.
Ex.: {z : |z| < 1}
EXAMPLE. S1 = {z = i/n : n ∈ N}
• S1 neither open nor closed; z = 0 limit point; all points in S1 are isolated.
♦ A set S is bounded if for some constant M , |z| < M for every z ∈ S.
• compact = closed and bounded
♦ A set S ⊂ C is connected if every two points in S can be
joined by a path all points of which belong to S.
Im z
connected
Re z
Im z not connected
Re z
• connected open set = domain (or region)
