An argument of a function in \(H^{1/2}\) (Q2891997)

A nonzero function \(h\) in the Hardy space \(H^{1/2}\) is called strongly outer if, for every nonzero function \(f\) in \(H^{1/2}\) such that \(f/h\geq 0\) a.e. on \(\partial D\), the boundary of the open unit disk \(D\), then \(f=\gamma h\) for some positive constant \(\gamma\). In the paper under review, the authors prove that if \(f\) is a non-constant function in \(H^{1/2}\) and \(h\) is a strongly outer function in \(H^{1/2}\) such that \(f/(z^nh) \geq 0\) a.e. on \(\partial D\), then \(f=ph\) where \(p\) is a polynomial of the form NEWLINE\[NEWLINE p=\gamma \prod_{j=1}^{n} (z-a_j)(1-\bar a_jz). NEWLINE\]NEWLINE This result generalizes a theorem of \textit{H. Helson} and \textit{D. Sarason} [Math. Scand. 21, 5--16 (1968; Zbl 0241.60029)].