Module 1 - Harmonic Conjugates

S. Devi Yamini

Module 1 1 / 10
Overview

1 Harmonic Conjugate

Module 1 2 / 10
Overview

1 Harmonic Conjugate

2 Application based problems

Module 1 2 / 10
Construction of harmonic conjugate

Recall
If u and v are harmonic functions such that f (z) = u + iv is analytic,
then u is a harmonic conjugate of v and viceversa.

Module 1 3 / 10
Construction of harmonic conjugate

Recall
If u and v are harmonic functions such that f (z) = u + iv is analytic,
then u is a harmonic conjugate of v and viceversa.
If u + iv is analytic, then the curves u(x, y ) = C1 and v (x, y ) = C2
cut orthogonally where C1 and C2 are constants.

Module 1 3 / 10
Construction of harmonic conjugate

Recall
If u and v are harmonic functions such that f (z) = u + iv is analytic,
then u is a harmonic conjugate of v and viceversa.
If u + iv is analytic, then the curves u(x, y ) = C1 and v (x, y ) = C2
cut orthogonally where C1 and C2 are constants.

Problem
Verify the function u(x, y ) = x 3 − 3xy 2 − 5y is harmonic in complex plane
and find its harmonic conjugate.

Module 1 3 / 10
Construction of harmonic conjugate

Recall
If u and v are harmonic functions such that f (z) = u + iv is analytic,
then u is a harmonic conjugate of v and viceversa.
If u + iv is analytic, then the curves u(x, y ) = C1 and v (x, y ) = C2
cut orthogonally where C1 and C2 are constants.

Problem
Verify the function u(x, y ) = x 3 − 3xy 2 − 5y is harmonic in complex plane
and find its harmonic conjugate.

2 2
Solution: Check whether ∂∂xu2 + ∂y
∂ u
2 = 0

u(x, y ) is harmonic.
ux = 3x 2 − 3y 2 and uy = −6xy − 5

Module 1 3 / 10
Solution

Using C-R equations, ux = vy = 3x 2 − 3y 2 and uy = −vx = −6xy − 5

Module 1 4 / 10
Solution

Using C-R equations, ux = vy = 3x 2 − 3y 2 and uy = −vx = −6xy − 5

Integrating vy with respect to y , we get
v = 3x 2 y − y 3 + f (x)

Module 1 4 / 10
Solution

Using C-R equations, ux = vy = 3x 2 − 3y 2 and uy = −vx = −6xy − 5

Integrating vy with respect to y , we get
v = 3x 2 y − y 3 + f (x)
Differentiate v with respect to x,
vx = 6xy + f ′ (x) = −uy

Module 1 4 / 10
Solution

Using C-R equations, ux = vy = 3x 2 − 3y 2 and uy = −vx = −6xy − 5

Integrating vy with respect to y , we get
v = 3x 2 y − y 3 + f (x)
Differentiate v with respect to x,
vx = 6xy + f ′ (x) = −uy
Hence, uy = −6xy − f ′ (x) = −6xy − 5
f ′ (x) = 5

Module 1 4 / 10
Solution

Using C-R equations, ux = vy = 3x 2 − 3y 2 and uy = −vx = −6xy − 5

Integrating vy with respect to y , we get
v = 3x 2 y − y 3 + f (x)
Differentiate v with respect to x,
vx = 6xy + f ′ (x) = −uy
Hence, uy = −6xy − f ′ (x) = −6xy − 5
f ′ (x) = 5
So, v (x, y ) = 3x 2 y − y 3 + 5x + c

Module 1 4 / 10
 Construction of Analytic function

Milne Thompson’s method

If u(x, y ) is given, then to find the analytic function
f (z) = u(x, y ) + iv (x, y )
Step 1 f ′ (z) = ux + ivx
f ′ (z) = ux − iuy (using C-R equations)
Step 2 Replace x = z and y = 0
f ′ (z) = ux (z, 0) − iuy (z, 0)
Step 3 Integrate ′
R f (z) with respect
R to z,
f (z) = ux (z, 0)dz − i uy (z, 0)dz + C

Module 1 5 / 10
 Construction of Analytic function

Milne Thompson’s method

If u(x, y ) is given, then to find the analytic function
f (z) = u(x, y ) + iv (x, y )
Step 1 f ′ (z) = ux + ivx
f ′ (z) = ux − iuy (using C-R equations)
Step 2 Replace x = z and y = 0
f ′ (z) = ux (z, 0) − iuy (z, 0)
Step 3 Integrate ′
R f (z) with respect
R to z,
f (z) = ux (z, 0)dz − i uy (z, 0)dz + C

Corollary
If v (x, y ) is given, the follow the same procedure with f ′ (z) = vy + ivx .

Module 1 5 / 10
Problems

Problem 1
Given a harmonic function u(x, y ) = x 2 − y 2 − x, find the analytic
function f (z)

Module 1 6 / 10
Problems

Problem 1
Given a harmonic function u(x, y ) = x 2 − y 2 − x, find the analytic
function f (z)

Solution
f ′ (z) = ux − iuy

Module 1 6 / 10
Problems

Problem 1
Given a harmonic function u(x, y ) = x 2 − y 2 − x, find the analytic
function f (z)

Solution
f ′ (z) = ux − iuy

ux = 2x − 1, uy = −2y

Module 1 6 / 10
Problems

Problem 1
Given a harmonic function u(x, y ) = x 2 − y 2 − x, find the analytic
function f (z)

Solution
f ′ (z) = ux − iuy

ux = 2x − 1, uy = −2y

f ′ (z) = (2x − 1) + i(−2y )

Module 1 6 / 10
Problems

Problem 1
Given a harmonic function u(x, y ) = x 2 − y 2 − x, find the analytic
function f (z)

Solution
f ′ (z) = ux − iuy

ux = 2x − 1, uy = −2y

f ′ (z) = (2x − 1) + i(−2y )

Substitute x = z, y = 0, we obtain f ′ (z) = 2z − 1

Module 1 6 / 10
Problems

Problem 1
Given a harmonic function u(x, y ) = x 2 − y 2 − x, find the analytic
function f (z)

Solution
f ′ (z) = ux − iuy

ux = 2x − 1, uy = −2y

f ′ (z) = (2x − 1) + i(−2y )

Substitute x = z, y = 0, we obtain f ′ (z) = 2z − 1
Integrating w r t z,
f (z) = z 2 − z + C

Module 1 6 / 10
Problems

1 Construct an analytic function f (z) for which the real part is

(i) e x cos(y )

Module 1 7 / 10
Problems

1 Construct an analytic function f (z) for which the real part is

(i) e x cos(y )
(ii) x 3 − 3xy 2 + 3x 2 − 32 + 1

Module 1 7 / 10
Problems

1 Construct an analytic function f (z) for which the real part is

(i) e x cos(y )
(ii) x 3 − 3xy 2 + 3x 2 − 32 + 1
(iii) e 2x (xcos(2y ) − ysin(2y ))

Module 1 7 / 10
Problems

1 Construct an analytic function f (z) for which the real part is

(i) e x cos(y )
(ii) x 3 − 3xy 2 + 3x 2 − 32 + 1
(iii) e 2x (xcos(2y ) − ysin(2y ))
2 Show that u(x, y ) = 12 log (x 2 + y 2 ) is harmonic and determine its
conjugate. Also, find f (z).

Module 1 7 / 10
Problems

1 Construct an analytic function f (z) for which the real part is

(i) e x cos(y )
(ii) x 3 − 3xy 2 + 3x 2 − 32 + 1
(iii) e 2x (xcos(2y ) − ysin(2y ))
2 Show that u(x, y ) = 12 log (x 2 + y 2 ) is harmonic and determine its
conjugate. Also, find f (z).
3 Find the orthogonal trajectories of the family of curves
x 3 y − xy 3 = C .

Module 1 7 / 10
Problems

1 Construct an analytic function f (z) for which the real part is

(i) e x cos(y )
(ii) x 3 − 3xy 2 + 3x 2 − 32 + 1
(iii) e 2x (xcos(2y ) − ysin(2y ))
2 Show that u(x, y ) = 12 log (x 2 + y 2 ) is harmonic and determine its
conjugate. Also, find f (z).
3 Find the orthogonal trajectories of the family of curves
x 3 y − xy 3 = C .
4 If u − v = e x (cosy − siny ), find the analytic function f (z) = u + iv .

Module 1 7 / 10
Problems

1 Construct an analytic function f (z) for which the real part is

(i) e x cos(y )
(ii) x 3 − 3xy 2 + 3x 2 − 32 + 1
(iii) e 2x (xcos(2y ) − ysin(2y ))
2 Show that u(x, y ) = 12 log (x 2 + y 2 ) is harmonic and determine its
conjugate. Also, find f (z).
3 Find the orthogonal trajectories of the family of curves
x 3 y − xy 3 = C .
4 If u − v = e x (cosy − siny ), find the analytic function f (z) = u + iv .
5 If u + v = (x − y )(x 2 + 4xy + y 2 ), find the analytic function
f (z) = u + iv .

Module 1 7 / 10
Problems

1 Construct an analytic function f (z) for which the real part is

(i) e x cos(y )
(ii) x 3 − 3xy 2 + 3x 2 − 32 + 1
(iii) e 2x (xcos(2y ) − ysin(2y ))
2 Show that u(x, y ) = 12 log (x 2 + y 2 ) is harmonic and determine its
conjugate. Also, find f (z).
3 Find the orthogonal trajectories of the family of curves
x 3 y − xy 3 = C .
4 If u − v = e x (cosy − siny ), find the analytic function f (z) = u + iv .
5 If u + v = (x − y )(x 2 + 4xy + y 2 ), find the analytic function
f (z) = u + iv .
6 Find the values of C1 and C2 such that the function
f (z) = (x 2 + C1 y 2 − 2xy ) + i(C2 x 2 − y 2 + 2xy ) is analytic. Also, find
f ′ (z).

Module 1 7 / 10
Applications

* Consider an irrotational motion of an incompressible fluid in two

dimensions. Assume that the flow is in parallel plane to xy-plane.
Then the velocity of the fluid particle is
v̄ = vx I¯ + vy J¯

Module 1 8 / 10
Applications

* Consider an irrotational motion of an incompressible fluid in two

dimensions. Assume that the flow is in parallel plane to xy-plane.
Then the velocity of the fluid particle is
v̄ = vx I¯ + vy J¯
* Since the motion is irrotational, v̄ is irrotational. So, there exists a
scalar potential (velocity potential) ϕ(x, y ) such that
v̄ = ∇ϕ(x, y )

Module 1 8 / 10
Applications

* Consider an irrotational motion of an incompressible fluid in two

dimensions. Assume that the flow is in parallel plane to xy-plane.
Then the velocity of the fluid particle is
v̄ = vx I¯ + vy J¯
* Since the motion is irrotational, v̄ is irrotational. So, there exists a
scalar potential (velocity potential) ϕ(x, y ) such that
v̄ = ∇ϕ(x, y )
* Since the fluid is incompressible, div (v̄ ) = 0 and hence it can be
proved that ϕ(x, y ) is harmonic.

Module 1 8 / 10
Applications

* Consider an irrotational motion of an incompressible fluid in two

dimensions. Assume that the flow is in parallel plane to xy-plane.
Then the velocity of the fluid particle is
v̄ = vx I¯ + vy J¯
* Since the motion is irrotational, v̄ is irrotational. So, there exists a
scalar potential (velocity potential) ϕ(x, y ) such that
v̄ = ∇ϕ(x, y )
* Since the fluid is incompressible, div (v̄ ) = 0 and hence it can be
proved that ϕ(x, y ) is harmonic.
* There exist a harmonic conjugate of ϕ, say χ such that the complex
potential is
w (z) = ϕ(x, y ) + iχ(x, y )

Module 1 8 / 10
Applications

* Consider an irrotational motion of an incompressible fluid in two

dimensions. Assume that the flow is in parallel plane to xy-plane.
Then the velocity of the fluid particle is
v̄ = vx I¯ + vy J¯
* Since the motion is irrotational, v̄ is irrotational. So, there exists a
scalar potential (velocity potential) ϕ(x, y ) such that
v̄ = ∇ϕ(x, y )
* Since the fluid is incompressible, div (v̄ ) = 0 and hence it can be
proved that ϕ(x, y ) is harmonic.
* There exist a harmonic conjugate of ϕ, say χ such that the complex
potential is
w (z) = ϕ(x, y ) + iχ(x, y )
* Here χ(x, y ) is called the stream function. The curves ϕ(x, y ) = C1
and χ(x, y ) = C2 are called equipotential lines and stream lines
respectively.
Module 1 8 / 10
Applications

- In Electrostatics and gravitational fields, the above mentioned curves

are equipotential lines and lines of force respectively.

Module 1 9 / 10
Applications

- In Electrostatics and gravitational fields, the above mentioned curves

are equipotential lines and lines of force respectively.
- In heat flow problems, these curves are known as isothermal and heat
flow lines respectively.

Module 1 9 / 10
Problems

1 If w = ϕ + iχ represents the complex potential for an electric field

x
and χ = (x 2 − y 2 ) + x 2 +y 2 , determine the function ϕ.

Module 1 10 / 10
Problems

1 If w = ϕ + iχ represents the complex potential for an electric field

x
and χ = (x 2 − y 2 ) + x 2 +y 2 , determine the function ϕ.
p
2 If the velocity potential function is log ( x 2 + y 2 ), find the flux
function χ and the complex potential w (z).

Module 1 10 / 10