Extension of holomorphic functions (Q5915438)

On the complex plane \(\mathbb C\) each domain \(G\) is a domain of holomorphy, i.e., \(G\) is a maximal domain of existence of a holomorphic function of a complex variable. On the other hand, multivalued analytic functions (such as \(\log z\)) can be treated as (single-valued) holomorphic functions on ``multi-sheeted'' domains (Riemann surfaces). In particular, a domain of holomorphy of a multivalued analytic function is a Riemann surface (in particular, a Riemann domain over \(\mathbb C\)). In his famous fundamental paper of 1906, F. Hartogs observed that in the \(n\)-dimensional case (\(n\geq 2\)) there are pairs of domains \(G\subset G'\), \(G\neq G'\), such that every function \(f\) of \(n\) complex variables holomorphic on \(G\) admits a unique holomorphic extension to \(G'\). One says that an open connected set \(\hat G \supseteq G\) is a ``univalent'' envelope of holomorphy of a domain \(G \subset \mathbb C^n \) if \(\hat G\) is a domain of holomorphy and each function \(f\) holomorphic on \(G\) has a holomorphic extension to \(\hat G\). If \(n=1\), then \(G=\hat G\) for every domain \(G\subset \mathbb C\). It follows from the Hartogs observation that for \(n\geq 2\) not every domain \(G\) in \(\mathbb C^n\) is a maximal domain of existence of a holomorphic function of \(n\) complex variables. Moreover, there are domains \(G\) in \(\mathbb C^n\), \( n\geq 2\), such that \(G\) has no univalent envelope of holomorphy. However, one can show that every domain \(G\) has a multi-sheeted envelope of holomorphy. Here by a multi-sheeted domain we understand a Riemann domain over \(\mathbb C^n\), i.e., a connected complex manifold \(X\) with a global projection \(p:X\to \mathbb C^n\) such that \(p\) is a local homeomorphism. The book gives a detailed study of domains of holomorphy and envelopes of holomorphy in the category of Riemann domains. Given a domain \(G \subset \mathbb C^n\) one can consider the maximal domain of existence of a family \(\mathcal S\subset \mathcal O(G)\), where \(\mathcal O(G)\) denotes the space of all holomorphic functions on \(G\). The book contains, in particular, main results concerning the following three fundamental problems: (1) Does the maximal domain of existence always exist in the category of Riemann domains over \(\mathbb C^n\)? (2) Characterize domains that cannot be holomorphically extended to any larger Riemann domain. (3) When is the maximal domain of existence univalent, i.e., can it be realized as a domain in \(\mathbb C^n\)? A number of the results have not yet been published in book form. The book will certainly serve as a useful source of the main results of the field. But it is also addressed to everybody who likes to extend her/his knowledge beyond the standard course in several complex variables. Moreover, the book offers a lot of unsolved challenging questions concerning the theory of extension of holomorphic functions. The book is devided into 4 chapters: 1. Riemann domains (1.1 Riemann domains over \(\mathbb C^n\), 1.2 Holomorphic functions, 1.3 Examples of Riemann domains, 1.4 Holomorphic extension of Riemann domains, 1.5 The boundary of a Riemann domain, 1.6 Union, intersection, and direct limit of Riemann domains, 1.7 Domains of existence, 1.8 Maximal holomorphic extensions, 1.9 Liftings of holomorphic mappings I, 1.10 Holomorphic convexity, 1.11 Riemann surfaces); 2. Pseudoconvexity (2.1 Plurisubharmonic functions, 2.2 Pseudoconvexity, 2.3 The Kiselman minimum principle, 2.4 \(\overline {\partial}\)-operator, 2.5 Solution of the Levi problem, 2.6 Regular solutions, 2.7 Approximation, 2.8 The Remmert embedding theorem, 2.9 The Docquier-Grauert criteria, 2.11 Spectrum, 2.12 Liftings of holomorphic mappings II); 3. Envelopes of holomorphy for special domains (3.1 Univalent envelopes of holomorphy, 3.2 \(k\)-tubular domains, 3.3 Matrix Reinhardt domains, 3.4 The envelope of holomorphy of \(X\setminus M\), 2.5 Separately holomorphic functions, 3.6 Extension of meromorphic functions); 4. Existence domains of special families of holomorphic functions (4.1 Special domains, 4.2 The Ohsawa-Takegoshi theorem, 4.3 The Skoda division theorem, 4.4 The Catlin-Hakim-Sibony theorem, 4.5 Structure of envelopes of holomorphy).