Carlsons Theorem

Srivatsan Rajagopal
May 3, 2015
The starting point is the Maximum modulus principle :

Maximum Modulus Principle

If, f (z) is an analytic function regular in a region D and on its boundary C, and |f (z)| M on C, then f (z) < M in the
interior of D and f (z) M throughout D

1.1

Proof

We need the following lemma : For any continous function (x)

(x) k
Z

(x)dx k(b a) = (x) = k

a

This is shown by noting that, if, () < k for some [a, b], then, since (x) is continous,there is an interval [ , + ]
for which (x) k  ( neednt be small). Then,
Z b
(x)dx 2(k ) + (b a 2)k = (b a)k 2
a

which contradicts the assumption made on the integral. This shows (x) = k
Now, suppose that at an interior point z0 of D, |f (z0 )| |f (z)| for any z on C or in D.
Let be a circle with centre z0 contained entirely in D. By Cauchys theorem, we know
Z
f (z)
1
dz
f (z0 ) =
2i z z0
Put z z0 = rei ,

f (z)
f (z0 )

(1)

= ei . and are functions of on and Eq.(1) is written as

Z 2
1
1=
ei d
2 0

By hypothesis 1. But
1
1=|
2

Z
0

1
e d|
2
i

d
0

is continous on . Therefore, from the lemma, we immediately know

=1
This gives
Z

1
1=
2

ei d

The real part then gives

1
1=
2

cos()d
0

Exactly similar arguments give = 0. This shows f (z) = f (z0 ) on . Since an identical argument can be made for circles
centred on each point of , we get f (z) is constant if it attains a maximum in the interior. Hence, for a non constant analytic
function, the conclusion of the theorem holds.
We now consider the following extension of the Maximum Modulus Principle
1

Phragm
en-Lindel
of Theorem

Let C be a simple closed contour, and let f (z) be regular inside and on C except at one point P of C. Let |f (z)| M
on C except at P .
Further let there be a function (z), regular and not zero inside C such that |(z)| 1 inside C, and such that, if  is
any given positive number, we can find a system of curves, arbitrarily near to P and connecting the two sides of C around
P , on which
|(z) f (z)| M
Then, |f (z)| M at all points inside C

2.1

Proof

Choose an arbitrary point z0 inside C. Consider the function

F (z) = (z) f (z)
By the hypothesis about (z), we can find a contour surrounding z0 on which F (z) is regular and satisfies
|F (z)| M
By the Maximum Modulus principle, we get
|F (z0 )| M = |f (z0 )| M |(z0 )|
Taking  0, we obtain
|f (z0 )| M

Comments

The exceptional point may be replaced by any finite, or even an infinite number of points, provided that suitable interpolating
functions i (z) for each such point maybe found.
In practice, the exceptional point is at infinity.

Similar Results

A bunch of results similar to the above can be proved which would be useful in understanding Carlsons theorem.

4.1
Let f (z) be an analytic function of z = rei , regular in the region D between two straight lines making an angle / at the
origin, and on the lines themselves. Suppose that
f (z) M

(2)

on the lines and that, as r ,

|f (z)| = O(er )
, where < , uniformly in the angle. Then, actually, Eq.(2) holds throughout D
4.1.1

Proof

Assume the two lines are = 21 /. let

F (z) = ez f (z)

, where < < and  > 0. Then
|F (z)| = er
2

cos

|f (z)|

. On = 12 /, cos > 0, since < . Hence, on these lines

|F (z)| |f (z)| M
Also, on the arc || 21 / of the circle |z| = R,
|F (z)| eR

cos 12 /

|f (z)| < AeR

R cos 12 /

which tends to zero as R . Hence if R is sufficiently large, |F (z)| M on the arc also. By the Maximum modulus
principle, we get
|F (z)| M
throughout the interior of the region || 12 /, r R. Since R is arbitrarily large, this holds throughout D. Thus
|f (z)| M er

. Taking  0, we get the stated result.

4.2
Define the function
h() = limr

log|f (rei )|
V (r)

Here, V (r) is chosen so that the limit is purely a function of

We have the following result.
Assume V (r) = r in the above definition. Also, let < 1 < 2 < and 1 2 < / and
h(1 ) h1
h(2 ) h2
Let H() be the function of form acos + bsin which has the values h1 , h2 at 1 , 2 respectively. Then,
h() H()
4.2.1

(1 2 )

Proof

Let H () be the function a cos + b sin that is equal to h1 + , h2 + at = 1 , = 2 respectively. Let

F (z) = f (z)e(a ib )z

Then,
|F (z)| = |f (z)|eH ()r

and so, if r is large enough,

|F (rei1 )| = O(e(h1 +)r

H (1 )r

) = O(1)

with a similar statement to be made about |F (rei2 )|.

By the theorem proved in the earlier subsection, we get that F (z) is bounded in the angle (1 , 2 ). Therefore, we get

f (z) = O(eH ()r )

uniformly in the angle. Thus, h() H () for 1 2 . Taking 0 the result follows.

Carlsons theorem 1

Let f (z) be regular and of form O(ek|z| ) for Re(z) 0 and let f (z) = O(ea|z| ), where a > 0, on the imaginary axis. Then
f (z) = 0 identically.
3

5.1

Proof

In the theorem of section 4.2, choose = 1, 1 = 0, 2 = 12 , h1 = k, h2 = a and take = 0 throughout the argument. The
result implies
f (z) = O(ekcosa|sin|r )

(3)

for 0 12 A similar argument shows that this also holds for 12 0 Now, let
F (z) = ez f (z)
where is a large positive number. Then Eq.(3) implies there is a constant M , independent of , such that
1
1
|F (z)| M e(k+)cosa|sin|r ( )
2
2
In particular, we have
|F (z)| M

(4)

for = 12 and = where = arc tan( k+

a )
Now, use the theorem of section 4.1 to conclude that Eq.(4) holds in each of the three regions ( 21 , ), (, ), (, 21 ).
It then follows that Eq.(4) holds throughout 12 12 .
Hence,
|f (z)| M ercos
Taking gives the required result.

Carlsons Theorem 2

If f (z) is regular and of the form O(ek|z| ), where k < , for Re(z) 0, and f (z) = 0 for z = 0, 1, 2, ..., then f (z) = 0
identically.

6.1

Proof

Choose
F (z) = f (z)cosecz
This is regular in the region Re(z) 0. Moreover, except at the points z = n, cosecz is bounded and hence F (z) is of form
F (z) = O(ek|z| )
throughout Re(z) 0. Also,
F (z) = O(e(k)|z| )
on the imaginary axis. The result follows from the previous theorem.

References:
E.C. Titchmarsh, The Theory of Functions (2nd Edition)