MHB Can a Non-Surjective Smooth Harmonic Function on $\Bbb R^2$ Be Non-Constant?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Euge
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
Every smooth harmonic function from R² to R that is not surjective must be constant, as established in the discussion. Alan contributed an honorable mention with a partial proof of this result. The conversation revolves around the implications of harmonic functions and their properties in relation to surjectivity. A complete proof is provided, reinforcing the theorem's validity. This topic highlights the intersection of harmonic analysis and topology in mathematical discussions.
Euge
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
2,072
Reaction score
245
Here is this week's POTW:

-----
Prove that every smooth harmonic function from $\Bbb R^2$ to $\Bbb R$ that is not surjective must be constant.

-----

 
Physics news on Phys.org
Alan receives honorable mention for providing a well thought-out, but incomplete, proof of the result. You can read my solution below.

Let $h : \Bbb R^2 \to \Bbb R$ be a smooth harmonic function that is not surjective. Let $f$ be an entire function whose real part is $h$. Since the image of $h$ misses at least one point $a\in \Bbb R$, the image of $f$ misses at least the line $\operatorname{Re}(z) = a$. By the Little Picard theorem, $f$ must be constant. Therefore, $h$ is constant.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K