Questions tagged [harmonic-functions]

For questions regarding harmonic functions.

The solutions of the Laplace equation $\Delta f =0$ on a domain $D\subset \mathbb{R}^n$ are known as harmonic functions.

Harmonic functions appear most naturally in complex analysis and extends the concept of analytic functions.

The Cauchy-Riemann equation together with the conjugated Cauchy-Riemann equation shows that the sum of an analytic function and an anti-analytic function is harmonic and in fact every complex harmonic function can be written as such. In particular the real/imaginary part of an analytic function is harmonic.

Harmonic functions satisfy the Liouville's theorem and maximum principle, in any dimension.

It should be mentioned that harmonic functions can be generalized one step further to the class of sub-harmonic functions which satisfy $$\Delta f\geq0$$ which also satisfy the maximum principle.

Note that harmonic functions satisfy the regularity theorem for harmonic functions, which states that harmonic functions are infinitely differentiable (follows from Laplace's equation). They also satisfy Harnack's inequality, which relates the values of a positive harmonic function at two points.

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Clarification on a potential typo in a theorem from Garnett's Bounded Analytic Functions (2007)

Theorem 6.5 from Garnett's 2007 book Bounded Analytic Functions is as follows. I quote it verbatim, because I am concerned about the possibility of there being a typo: Theorem 6.5. Let $v\left(z\right)$ be a subharmonic function in the unit disk…
MCS
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refined Kato inequality

For any real-valued smooth function $u$, we have the Kato inequality $|D|Du||^2\leq(det(Hess(u)))^2$, which holds when $|Du|\neq0$. If moreover $u$ is harmonic (in an open set in $\mathbb{R}^n$), how would the Kato inequality be improved…
Miranda
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Biharmonic function with a constant modulus

A bi-harmonic function $u:U\to C$, where $U$ is an open subset of the complex plane $C$ is a solution of the equation $\Delta^2u=0$. Can a nonconstant bi-harmonic mapping have a constant modulus in an open set? Example: The mapping $f(x)=x/|x|$ is a…
Marijan
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Biharmonic function

Is a family of bounded bi-harmonic functions defined in the unit disk an equicontinuous family of functions on compacts? A bi-harmonic function $u$ is a solution of the equation $\Delta^2 u =0$.
Marijan
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Ratio of measure of level region for harmonic functions

Let $u$ be a harmonic function defined on $B_1(0)\subset\mathbb{R}^2$, $u(0)=0$, and $\{x\in B_1(0):u(x)>0\}$ is simply connected. Is there a universal constant $c>0$ satisfying that $$ c\leq \frac{m(B_1(0)\cap\{u(x)>0\} )}{m(B_1(0)\cap\{u(x)<0\}…
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Topological similarity of solutions to Dirichlet problem

Let $\varphi_{1},\varphi_{2}:\mathbb{S}^{1}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ be two smooth general position (Morse) functions having the same set of critical points $\left\{ p_{1},...,p_{n}\right\} \subset\mathbb{S}^{1}$ ($n$ is even) and both $\varphi_{1}$…