Integrating \frac{\log{z+i}}{1+z^2} around a Semi-Circular Contour

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function \(\frac{\log{z+i}}{1+z^2}\) along a large semi-circular contour. The original poster identifies poles at \(z=i\) and \(z=-i\) and seeks guidance on how to properly position the contour to enclose both poles while addressing a subsequent integral involving \(\log{x^2+1}\).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of the poles, questioning the order of the pole at \(z=-i\) and the implications of the logarithm's branch points. There is also exploration of the contour configuration needed to avoid branch point singularities and ensure proper evaluation of the integrals.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, raising questions about the setup and the nature of the poles. Some suggest specific contour configurations and methods for evaluating the integrals, while others seek clarification on the implications of the logarithm's branch cuts.

Contextual Notes

There are concerns regarding the placement of the contour in relation to the branch points of the logarithm, as well as the need to ensure that the logarithm remains holomorphic along the chosen contour. The discussion also highlights the potential for different interpretations of the integral setup.

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I have to integrate [itex]\int_{\Gamma} \frac{\log{z+i}}{1+z^2}[/itex] around a large semi-cricular contour.

i found a sinle pole with residue [itex]\frac{\log{2i}}{2i}[/itex] at [itex]z=i[/itex] and a double pole with residue [itex]-\frac{1}{2i}-\frac{\log{2i}}{2i}[/itex] at [itex]z=-i[/itex]. this seems fair enough but i can't decide where to put my contour so as to enclose them both. the reside theorem tells me they will integrate to [itex]-\pi[/itex] if i can get them both inside the contour which is probably a good aim consdiering the next part of the question is to show

[itex]\int_0^{\infty} \frac{\log{x^2+1}}{x^2+1}dx=\pi \log{2}[/itex]

so
(i) where do i put the contour
(ii) how can i evaluate the next part given that my complex integral is in terms of z's and the one i want is in terms of x^2's so it isn't as simple as taking the real part after i use Jordan's lemma on the semi circle is it?

thanks
 
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Can you double check that wrote down the problem down correctly, both the first and second parts? Things just seem a little off, maybe not though.

There are a few things.
1) Why is the point z=-i a pole of order 2 and not 1?
2) The countour you will need is [itex]\Gamma = \gamma_R + [-R,-1/R] +\gamma_{1/R} + [r,R][/itex], where [itex]\gamma_R = Re^{it},\,\gamma_{1/R} = -e^{-it}/R[/itex] and [itex]R>0,\,t\in[0,\pi][/itex]. You'll let [itex]R\to\infty[/itex], and note that [itex]1/R\to0[/itex]. Look at the second contour in the below figure.
Contour_750.gif

You need such a contour because you need [itex]\log z[/itex] to be an analytic branch of the logarithm, for example the branch that deletes 0 and the negative imaginary axis.
3) The way to do such an integral is:
[tex] \begin{align*}<br /> \lim_{R\to\infty} \int_\Gamma f(z) \,dz &= \lim_{R\to\infty} \left( \int_{\gamma_R} f(z)\,dz + \int_{-R}^{-1/R} f(x)\,dx + \int_{\gamma_{1/R}} f(z) \,dz + \int_{1/R}^R f(x)\,dx \right) \\<br /> 2\pi i \sum_{z_k\in \Gamma} \text{Res}\, (f;z_k) &= \int_{-\infty}^0 f(x)\,dx + \int_0^\infty f(x)\,dx + \lim_{R\to\infty} \left( \int_{\gamma_R} f(z)\,dz + \int_{\gamma_{1/R}} f(z) \,dz \right) \\<br /> \end{align*}[/tex]
The integrals left over on the right are usually shown to tend to zero as [itex]R\to\infty[/itex] or are evaluated otherwise.
4) You don't need all the poles of f(z) to be inside [itex]\Gamma[/itex]. You just worry about the ones that are as [itex]R\to\infty[/itex].
5) Also, if f(x) is even then
[tex] \int_{-\infty}^0 f(x)\,dx + \int_0^\infty f(x) \,dx = \int_{-\infty}^\infty f(x) \,dx = 2\int_0^\infty f(x) \,dx[/tex]
 

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it is meant to be log(z+i) and log(x^2+i)
 
you say we need log to be holomorphic so we deleted zer but our contour still contains the negative real axis?

with such a contour, i would only have the simple pole's contribution

i said we had a double pole at z=-i because initially when i went for a simple pole and started evaluating the residues, i got something divided by 0 (which usually means you've missed an order of your pole doesn't it?) so i assumed that log wouldn't be holomorphic at z=-i either and that made it a double pole and the residue calculation then worked fine

can you comment on these three points please
thanks for your help
 
Yo have to avoid the beanch point singularity of the Log (which is not a regular "pole"). The only way to do that is to split Log(x^2+1):

Log(x^2 + 1) = Log[(x+i)(x-i)] = Log(x+i) + Log(x-i)

Then you split up the integral in two parts. For each part you use a different contour. The part containing the Log(x+i) has the branch point singularity at z = -i, so you put the semi-circle above the real axis and for the integral containing the Log(x-i), you put the semi circle below the real axis.

Now, you can also evaluate only one of the two integrals and take twice the real part, because the integral of Log(x-i)/(x^2 + 1) will be the complex conjugate of the integral of Log(x+i)/(x^2 + 1).

This is then a bit similar to evaluating the integral of sin(x)/x using contour integration. You can just replace sin(x) by exp(i x), take the contour with the semi circle in the upper half plane and then take the real part of the final result. But in more complicated cases, simply taking the real part may not work. The general method is to write
sin(x) as [exp(ix) - exp(-ix)]/(2 i), split up the integral in two parts and then take different contours for the two parts.
 

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