Proper holomorphic discs in \(\mathbb{C}^2\) (Q5946654)

Let \(X\) be a Stein manifold of dimension at least \(2\); let \(U\) denote the open unit disc. It was proved by \textit{J. Globevnik} [Indiana Univ. Math. J. 49, No. 2, 553-574 (2000; Zbl 0974.32017)] that for any point \(p\in X\), there exists a proper holomorphic map (a proper holomorphic disc) \(f: U\to X\). Combining Globevnik's methods with those from [\textit{F. Forstnerič} and \textit{J. Globevnik}, Comment. Math. Helv. 67, No. 1, 129-145 (1992; Zbl 0779.32016)] shows the following: Theorem 1.1. Let \(X\) be a Stein manifold with \(\dim X\geq 2\), let \(\rho: X\to\mathbb{R}\) be a smooth exhaustion function which is strongly plurisubharmonic on \(\{\rho> M\}\) for some \(M\in\mathbb{R}\), and let \(d\) be a metric on \(X\). Given a continuous map \(h:\overline U\to X\) which is holomorphic on \(U\) and satisfies \(\rho(h(e^{i\theta}))> M\) for \(e^{i\theta}\in T\), there exists for any pair of numbers \(0< r< 1\), \(\varepsilon> 0\), and for any finite set \(A\subset U\) a proper holomorphic map \(f: U\to X\) satisfying (i) \(\lim_{|\zeta|\to 1}\rho(f(\zeta))= +\infty\), (ii) \(\rho(f(\zeta))> \rho(h(\zeta))- \varepsilon\) for \(\zeta\in U\), (iii) \(d(f(\zeta),h(\zeta))< \varepsilon\) for \(|\zeta|\leq r\), and (iv) \(f(\zeta)= h(\zeta)\) for \(\zeta\in A\). In the paper under review, the authors are interested to what extent Theorem 1.1 holds if \(\rho\) is a strongly plurisubharmonic function whose sub-level sets are necessarily compact. Their motivation comes from the question whether it is possible to avoid any closed complex hypersurface \(L\) in a Stein manifold by proper holomorphic discs. Such an \(L\) is the zero set of a smooth plurisubharmonic function \(\rho: X\to\mathbb{R}_+\) which is strongly plurisubharmonic on \(\{\rho> 0\}= X\setminus L\). Consequently, a positive answer to the first question gives proper holomorphic discs in \(X\) avoiding \(L\). The authors obtain positive results in certain model situations in \(\mathbb{C}^2\): Theorem 1.2. For each \(c< 1\) and \(M\in\mathbb{R}\) the conclusion of Theorem 1.1 holds with \(X=\mathbb{C}^2\) and the function \(\rho_c: \mathbb{C}^2\to\mathbb{R}\) given by \[ \rho_c(z_1, z_2)= \rho_c(x_1+ iy_1, x_2+ iy_2)= x^2_1+ x^2_2- c(y^2_1+ y^2_2). \] If on the other hand \(c\geq 1\) then for any proper holomorphic map \(f: U\to\mathbb{C}^2\) the function \(\rho_c\circ f\) is unbounded from below on \(U\); hence there exist no proper holomorphic discs satisfying Theorem 1.1 (i) for \(\rho= \rho_c\) with \(c\geq 1\). Theorem 1.3. There exists a proper holomorphic map \(f= (f_1,f_2): U\to\mathbb{C}^2\) whose image \(f(U)\) is contained in \((\mathbb{C}^*)^2= \mathbb{C}^2\setminus\{zw= 0\}\). As part of their study, the authors investigate the boundary behavior of proper holomorphic discs. Theorem 1.5. Let \(f= (f_1,f_2): U\to \mathbb{C}^2\) be a proper holomorphic map of the disc to \(\mathbb{C}^2\). Let \(P\), \(Q\) be nonconstant holomorphic polynomials on \(\mathbb{C}^2\) whose leading order homogeneous parts have no common divisor. Denote by \(g\) any of the following (meromorphic) functions: (i) \(f_1\) or \(f_2\), (ii) \(f_1/f_2\), (iii) \(P(f_1,f_2)\), (iv) \(P(f_1, f_2)/Q(f_1, f_2)\). Then (a) the Fatou set of \(g\) has Lebesgue measure zero in \(T\), (b) every point of \(T\) is a Weierstrass point of \(g\), (c) almost every point of \(T\) is a Plessner point of \(g\), and (d) for every \(e^{i\theta}\in T\) the set \(\mathbb{C}\setminus R(g, e^{i\theta})\) is polar.