On the convergence of circle packings to the Riemann map (Q1922557)

Let \(D\) and \(\widetilde D\) be two bounded, simply connected domains, let \(P^n\) and \(\widetilde P^n\) be finite disk packings in \(D\) and \(\widetilde D\) which are isomorphic; that is there are orientation preserving homeomorphisms \(f_n\) such that \(f_n(P^n)=\widetilde P^n\). Furthermore, \(P^n\) and \(\widetilde P^n\) have to satisfy additional assumptions with regards to the distance to the boundaries, and that all `interstices' of \(P^n\) are triangular. Also, \(f_n\) has to be normalized at some interior point. Thurston had conjectured (1985) that \(f_n\to f\) \((n\to\infty)\), where \(f\) is the Riemann mapping of \(D\) onto \(\widetilde D\), and this was proved in 1987 by Rodin and Sullivan. The authors give here a new proof of the Riemann mapping theorem via disk packings which is more elementary than that by Rodin and Sullivan. In particular, it avoids any use of \(M\) quasiconformal mappings and does not rely indirectly on the Riemann mapping theorem. Also proved is the convergence of the first and second derivatives. The paper is carefully written and accessible to non-specialists. It is remarkable that Koebe's circle packing theorem of 1936 is of fundamental importance: To each finite planar graph \(G\) there is a disk packing in \(\mathbb{C}\) whose tangency graph is \(G\). Some lemmas deal with fixed points and winding numbers, and here a theorem of Carleman (1919) is used. Although the approach given here seems to be elementary, the existence of isomorphic disk packings in \(\widetilde D\) satisfying the additional conditions is taken from other sources, and it is not described how the packings in \(D\) and \(\widetilde D\) could actually be constructed.