Harmonic measure of curves in the disk (Q1357385)

Let \(E\) be a compact subset of \(cl (\mathbb{D})\) the closure of the unit disk in the complex plane, and let \(E_{\text{rad}}\) be the radial projection of \(E\) on the unit circle. Let \(\omega (E)\) denote the harmonic measure \(\omega (0,E,\mathbb{D} \backslash E)\), and consider the inequality (1) \(\omega (E)\geq C\omega (E_{\text{rad}})\). It is known that (1) holds for some universal constant \(C\), and Fuchs asked for the largest constant \(C\) such that (1) holds for all \(E\). Henceforth, we shall assume that \(E\) is a continuum in \(cl(\mathbb{D})\). The authors prove that there is a critical angle \(\theta_c\), which is approximately \(350.03^\circ\), with the following properties: (i) if the length of \(E_{\text{rad}}\) is less then \(\theta_c\), then (1) holds with \(C=1\); (ii) if \(\theta> \theta_c\), then there are continua \(E\) in \(cl(\mathbb{D})\) such that the length of \(E_{\text{rad}}\) is \(\theta\), but \(\omega (E)< \omega(E_{\text{rad}})\). The authors also show that, in any case, (1) holds with \(C=C_{2\pi} \approx 0.977\). In a previous paper [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 316, 81-95 (1989; Zbl 0692.30020)] they gave an explicit description of a curve \(E_{2 \pi}\) where equality holds. They show this optimal curve in one of their figures. It traces the top half of the unit circle, and then continues with decreasing radii through the third and fourth quadrant, ending at a small positive number. The optimal curves of \(\theta_c \leq\theta <2 \pi\) have roughly the same shape, ending at points with small radius and argument \(\theta\). The methods are based on the work of \textit{J. Jenkins}, Ann. Math. 66, 440-453 (1957; Zbl 0082.06301), and Math. Z. 135, 279-283 (1974; Zbl 0274.30019)]. The extremal curves \(E\) (that is, those with minimal harmonic measure for fixed \(E_{\text{rad}})\) consist of trajectories of a certain quadratic differential. The authors provide a self-contained account of the version of Jenkins' theorem needed in this paper. This is only one example of the excellent quality of the exposition in this interesting paper.