Notes on convex functions of order \(\alpha\) (Q260303)

Let \(U\) be the open unit disc in the complex plane, and let \(S\) denote the family of functions analytic and univalent in \(U\), with standard normalization \(f(0)=0\), \(f'(0)=1\). \(K\) denotes the subset of \(S\) consisting of the functions for which \(f(U)\) is convex. \(S^\ast\) denotes the subset of \(S\) consisting of the functions for which \(f(U)\) is star-like with respect to the origin. It is known [\textit{D. J. Hallenbeck} and \textit{T. H. MacGregor}, Linear problems and convexity techniques in geometric function theory. Melbourne: Pitman Adavanced Publishing Program (1984; Zbl 0581.30001)] that \(f(z)\) is in \(K\) if and only if \(zf'(z)\) is in \(S^\ast\), and that \(f\) is in \(K\) if and only if \(f\) is in \(S\) and \(\mathrm{Re}\{zf"(z)/f'(z)+1\}>0\) for all \(z\) in \(U\). Furthermore, the condition \(\mathrm{Re}\{zf"(z)/f'(z)+1\}>\alpha\) defines the family \(K(\alpha)\) of functions convex of order \(\alpha\), for \(\alpha\) in the interval \([0,1)\); see [\textit{M. I. S. Robertson}, Ann. Math. (2) 37, 374--408 (1936; JFM 62.0373.05)]. In 1973, \textit{L. Brickman} et al., working together at SUNY in Albany, published a seminal paper in the field of extreme point theory as applied to geometric function theory, which contains a number of results pertaining to families of convex and star-like functions [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 185, 413--428 (1974; Zbl 0278.30021)]. The paper under review revisits a conjecture from that paper that deals with the concept of subordination. For two functions \(f\) and \(g\) analytic in \(U\), we say that \(f\) is subordinate to \(g\) if there exists a function \(\mu\), analytic in \(U\), such that \(\mu(0)=0\), the image of \(U\) under \(\mu\) is contained in \(U\) and \(f(z)=g(\mu(z))\) in \(U\) [Hallenbeck and MacGregor, loc. cit.]. Let \(f\) be convex of order \(\alpha\). In [Brickman et al., loc. cit.], it was proved that \(f(z)/z\) is subordinate to \(k(z)/z\), where \(k(z)\) is an extreme point of the family of convex functions of order \(\alpha\), with \(\alpha\) in the interval \([1/2,1]\). The case \(\alpha=0\), being the case of convex mappings, also holds, i.e., \(f(z)/z\) is subordinate to \(1/(1-z)\), as referenced in [Brickman et al., loc. cit.], since \(1/(1-z)=k(z)/z\), where \(k(z)=z/(1-z)\) is an extreme point of the class \(K\). The missing interval \((0,1/2)\) was the subject of their conjecture, and it is accomplished in the paper under review. As in [Brickman et al., loc. cit.], this result is obtained by demonstrating that the corresponding \(k(z)/z\) is convex.