On the maximum principle for solutions of second order elliptic equations (Q2225882)

Consider the operator \(\mathcal{L}=\overline{\partial}\partial_\beta\) acting on the functions \(u\) of a complex variable \(z\) defined in the unit disc \(B\subset\mathbb{C},\) where \(\overline{\partial}\) is the Cauchy-Riemann operator and \(\partial_\beta=\frac{\partial}{\partial x}+\beta i \frac{\partial}{\partial y}\) with \(\beta\in (-1,0).\) The author presents necessary and sufficient conditions for the validity of the maximum principle for the operator \(\mathcal{L}.\) These conditions are expressed in terms of the quasiconformality coefficient \(k_u(z)=\frac{\frac{\partial u(z)}{\partial \overline{z}}}{\frac{\partial u(z)}{\partial z}}.\) The proof relies on suitable integral representations of solutions to the equation \(\mathcal{L}u=0,\) and properties of the Cauchy type integral and functions of the Hardy and the Smirnoff classes.