Extremal functions for real convex bodies (Q496806)

In this paper, the smoothness of the Siciak-Zaharjuta extremal function associated to a convex body in \(\mathbb{R}^2\) is studied. Let \(K\subset\mathbb{C}^n\) be a compact set and \(V_K\) be the Siciak-Zaharjuta extremal function for \(K\) given by \[ V_K(z) :=\sup\big\{u(z) : u \in L(\mathbb{C}^n)\text{ and } u\leq0\text{ on } K\big\}\,, \] where \(L(\mathbb{C}^n)\) denotes the class of psh functions on \(\mathbb{C}^n\) with logarithmic growth. Results are proved in \(\mathbb{R}^2\subset\mathbb{C}^2\) as the geometric arguments work only in dimension 2. For a convex body \(K\subset\mathbb{R}^2\) it is shown that at certain points of \(\mathbb{C}^2\setminus K\), \(V_K\) is pluriharmonic (and therefore smooth). At other points, the foliation structure of \(V_K\) by extremal ellipses is used to study its smoothness. The authors derive geometric conditions on extremal ellipses that ensure smoothness of the foliation, under the assumption that the real boundary \(\partial K\) is sufficiently smooth. The complex equilibrium measure of a convex body \(K\subset\mathbb{R}^2\subset\mathbb{C}^2\), \(n\geq2\), is also studied. Let \(\rho_K\) denote the Robin function of \(K\). Theorem. Let \(K\subset\mathbb{R}^n\) be a convex body with unique extremals. Then for any continuous \(\phi\) on \(K\), \[ \int\phi(dd^cV_K)^n=\int(\phi\circ F)(dd^c\rho^+_K)^n\,. \] Here \(F\) denotes the extension of the Robin exponential map as a continuous function from \(\partial K_\rho\) onto \(K\).