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Suppose $f(z)$ is an analytic function on a domain $D$ which maps negative axis to negative axis. For $s>1$ consider the function $$u(z)=\Re \sqrt[s]{f(z)}$$ with the branch cut along the negative axis. Is $u(z)$ subharmonic on $D\setminus\lbrace z\in D: f(z)=0\rbrace?$ When applying the maximum principle to $u(z)$ must one check values in $D$ along the negative axis?

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  • $\begingroup$ Why is $u(z)$ a well-defined function? You can define it in regions away from the zeros of $f(z)$, but in any neighborhood of $a zero of $f(z)$ there is no way to define it in a continuous way in general, so I wouldn't expect it to be subharmonic, however it is defined. $\endgroup$
    – John Jiang
    Apr 22, 2012 at 5:03
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    $\begingroup$ If using the principal branch of the $1/s$ power, you do get a continuous function: note that $$\lim_{z \to -x} \Re z^{1/s} = x^{1/s} \cos(\pi/s)$$ $\endgroup$ Apr 22, 2012 at 5:20
  • $\begingroup$ John: I think you are correct. The function cannot be subharmonic near $f(z)=0$ so I revised the question. $\endgroup$ Apr 22, 2012 at 20:10
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    $\begingroup$ It should also be subharmonic where $f(z)=0$, again if you are using the principal branch. For example with $f(z)=z$, $\frac{1}{2\pi} \int_{-\pi}^\pi \Re(r^{1/s} e^{i\theta/s})\ d\theta \ge 0$. $\endgroup$ Apr 22, 2012 at 22:02

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Assuming you are using the principal branch of the $s$'th root, $u(z)$ is indeed a subharmonic function. You do need to "check the branch cut", but it works out ok.

Consider a point $p$ where $f(p)$ is on the negative real axis (so $p$ is on a branch cut of $f(z)^{1/s}$), and let $v(z)$ be the version of $\Re f(z)^{1/s}$ obtained by moving the branch cut slightly away from $p$ in some direction. Then $v(z)$, being the real part of an analytic function, is harmonic near $p$, and $u(z) \ge v(z)$. So for small $r > 0$, $$u(p) = v(p) = \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} v(p + r e^{i\theta})\ d\theta \le \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} u(p + r e^{i\theta})\ d\theta $$

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  • $\begingroup$ To be clear, $u(z)=v(z)$ identically correct? $\endgroup$ Apr 22, 2012 at 20:07
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    $\begingroup$ No, $u(z) = v(z)$ on one side of the original branch cut, not on the other. For example if $f(z) = z$ and you move the branch cut down, $v(r e^{i\theta}) = r^{1/s} \cos(\theta/s)$ for $r > 0$ and $\theta$ near $\pi$, but $u(r e^{i \theta}) = r^{1/s} \cos(\theta/s)$ for $\theta \le \pi$, $r^{1/s} \cos((\theta-2\pi)/s)$ for $\theta > \pi$. $\endgroup$ Apr 22, 2012 at 21:55
  • $\begingroup$ One last question. You said that I still need to "check the branch cut" even though it may not be part of the boundary of $D.$ I am a little confused because it contradicts the maximum principle I know of for subharmonic functions. $\endgroup$ Apr 23, 2012 at 3:28
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    $\begingroup$ When I said "check the branch cut", I meant that you have to check whether the function is subharmonic there. It wasn't obvious, and it might not be true if you didn't use the principal branch. Once you know the function is subharmonic on a domain, you can use the maximum principle on that domain. $\endgroup$ Apr 23, 2012 at 5:00

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