Circle packings in surfaces of finite type: An in situ approach with applications to moduli (Q2367221)

Only the idea of circle packing belongs to discrete geometry -- its utilization in the complex analysis goes back to B. Thurston and R. Brooks [see, e.g., \textit{R. Brooks}, Duke Math. J. 52, 1009-1024 (1985; Zbl 0587.58060)]. The aim of the present article is ``non-discrete'' too. The main result of the authors is the following theorem: Every complete hyperbolic Riemann surface of finite topological type can be approximated in modulus by a complete surface that admits a bounded degree circle packing filling the surface. Moreover, it can be so arranged that the approximating surface has a circle packing that is eventually constant 6- degree on its cusp neighborhoods and constant 7-degree on its infinite area half-annular ends; in particular, at most finitely many of its circles will have degree greater than seven.