Analytic discs with rectifiable simple closed curves as ends (Q1102406)

The following two theorems are proved: a) Let \(\Gamma\) be a rectifiable simple closed curve in \({\mathbb{C}}^ N\), \(\Delta\) the open unit disc in \({\mathbb{C}}\). If \(f: \Delta\to {\mathbb{C}}^ N-\Gamma\) is a bounded proper holomorphic map, then f' belongs to the Hardy space \(H^ 1\). Moreover f carries \(b\Delta\) onto \(\Gamma\) as a covering map of order equal to the multiplicity of the map f. b) Let \(\Gamma\) be a compact set of finite length in \({\mathbb{C}}^ N\) such that, outside a closed subset of zero length, \(\Gamma\) has a structure of an arc. Suppose that \(f: \Delta\to {\mathbb{C}}^ N-\Gamma\) is a bounded proper holomorphic map. Then f' belongs to \(H^ 1.\) The proofs depend on an extension result concerning bounded holomorphic functions in \(\Delta\) recently obtained (independently) by Pommerenke and Alexander.