The Beltrami equation. A geometric approach (Q658989)

The Beltrami equation is given by \(w_{\overline{z}}=\mu(z)w_z\), where \(\mu\) is a complex-valued measurable function in some domain. The classical case is the case that \(\|\mu\|_\infty<1\). In this case the equation has a homeomorphic solution; such a solution is called a quasiconformal mapping. After a discussion of the classical case, most of this monograph is devoted to the degenerate case \(\|\mu\|_\infty=1\). Various conditions implying that the Beltrami equation has a homeomorphic solution are discussed. Naturally, the authors put particular emphasis on the geometric approach they have developed in a number of joint papers. In addition to the degenerate Beltrami equation mentioned above, i.e., the case \(\|\mu\|_\infty=1\), the authors also treat the case where \(|\mu(z)|>1\) in some part of the domain while \(|\mu(z)|<1\) in another part of the domain, as well as the Beltrami equation with two characteristics: \(w_{\overline{z}}=\mu(z)w_z+\nu(z)\overline{w_z}\). An appendix contains an archive with various papers that have turned out to be important in the development of the theory.