On metrics defined by modules (Q1893300)

\textit{J. Ferrand} [J. Differ. Geom. 8, 487-510 (1973; Zbl 0274.53046)]\ gave a very general method of defining metrics in terms of modules of curve families. Let \(G\) be a domain in \(\mathbb{R}^n\), \(x,y\in G\), \(C_x\), \(C_y\) connected closed subsets of \(G\) with \(x\in C_x\), \(y\in C_y\), \(\text{Cl } C_x\cap \partial G\neq 0\), \(\text{Cl } C_y\cap \partial G\neq 0\). Let \(M(\Delta (C_x, C_y, G))\) denote the module of the family of all curves in \(G\) joining \(C_x\) and \(C_y\). Let \[ \lambda_G (x, y)= \text{g.l.b. } M(\Delta (C_x,C_y, G)) \] taken over the above configurations. She proved by a standard extremal metric argument that \(\lambda_G (x, y)^{- 1/n}\) is a metric in \(G\). \textit{M. Vuorinen} [Conformal geometry and quasi-regular mappings, Lect. Notes Math. 1319 (Springer, 1988; Zbl 0646.30025)]\ raised the question under what circumstances \(\lambda_G (x, y)^{-1/ (n-1)}\) is itself a metric. \textit{G. D. Anderson}, \textit{M. K. Vamanamurthy} and \textit{M. Vuorinen} [Expo. Math. 7, 97-136 (1989; Zbl 0686.30015)]\ proved that when \(G\) is the \(n\)-ball, \(\lambda_G (x, y)^{-p}\) is a metric if and only if \(p\in [0, (n- 1)^{-1} ]\). Vuorinen in particular asked whether \(\lambda_G (x, y)^{-1}\) is a metric for the punctured plane. This can be readily proved by the method of the extremal metric. Then \(M(\Delta (C_x, C_y, G))^{-1}\) is the module of the doubly- connected domain bounded by \(C_x\) and \(C_y\). The level curves of this domain determine a homotopy class of paths in \(\text{plane-} \{0, x,y\}\) whose module maximizes \(M(\Delta (C_x, C_y, G))^{-1}\) for the associated \(C_x\), \(C_y\), a consequence of the author's fundamental theorem [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 66, 440-453 (1957; Zbl 0082.063)]. There will be such a homotopy class of maximal module (unique except in certain special cases). Its module is \(\lambda_G (x, y)^{- 1}\). A direct application of the method of the extremal metric shows that this quantity satisfies the triangle law. For any plane domain of finite connectivity the corresponding result can be proved by a more technical treatment along the same lines.