On the existence of certain general extremal metrics. II (Q685323)

The author was the first to manifest [cf. Part I, Ann. Math., II. Ser. 65, 208-214 (1957; Zbl 0078.069)] the important role played by quadratic differentials on a finite Riemann surface all of whose structure domains are ring domains. The fundamental theorem in that paper relates the solutions of two types of extremal problems with such quadratic differentials and was proved using a variational method. In the present paper a simple direct proof is given using only the concepts and techniques of the method of the extremal metric. By a free family of homotopy classes \({\mathcal H}_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), on a finite Riemann surface \(\mathbb{R}\) is meant a family of distinct (unsensed) homotopy classes which can be represented by disjoint Jordan curves \(C_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\). A doubly-connected domain on \(\mathbb{R}\) is said to be associated with the homotopy class \({\mathcal H}_ j\) if its level curves are in \({\mathcal H}_ j\). A family \(D_ j\) of disjoint doubly-connected domains associated with \({\mathcal H}_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), is called an admissible family of domains. It is allowed that certain domains are missing; they are called degenerate. The following extremal problems are studied. Problem \(P(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\). Let \(a_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), be non- negative numbers not all zero. Let \(\rho(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\) denote the class of conformally invariant metrics \(\rho(z)| dz|\) on \(\mathbb{R}\) with \(\rho\) measurable, non-negative and such that for \(\gamma_ j\), rectifiable in \({\mathcal H}_ j\), \(\int_{\gamma_ j} \rho| dz|\) exists and satisfies \(\int_{\gamma_ j} \rho| dz| \geq a_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\). Find the greatest lower bound \(M(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\) of \(\iint_ \mathbb{R} \rho^ 2 dA_ z\) for \(\rho| dz|\in\rho(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\). Problem \({\mathcal P}(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\). Let \(a_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), be non-negative numbers not all zero. For an admissible family of domains \(D_ j\) of module \(M_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), find the least upper bound of \(\sum^ L_{j=1} a^ 2_ j M_ j\). In the following fundamental theorem we exclude the trivial special cases where \(\mathbb{R}\) is a disc, a doubly-connected domain or a torus. Let \(\mathbb{R}\) be a finite Riemann surface, \({\mathcal H}_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), a free family of homotopy classes on \(\mathbb{R}\). Then the solution of problem \(P(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\) is given by the (essentially) unique extremal metric \(| Q(z)|^{1/2} | dz|\) where \(Q(z)dz^ 2\) is a regular positive quadratic differential on \(\mathbb{R}\) all of whose structure domains are ring domains. Enumerating these appropriately as \(D_ j(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), they form an admissible family for the \({\mathcal H}_ j\). If \(D_ j(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\) is not degenerate its level curves all have length \(a_ j\) in the metric \(| Q(z)|^{1/2}| dz|\). If it is degenerate there is a geodesic in this metric belonging to \({\mathcal H}_ j\) composed of trajectory arcs joining zeros of \(Q(z)dz^ 2\) plus end points and of length \(\geq a_ j\) in this metric. If \(D_ j(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\) has module \(M_ j(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\), \[ M(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)=\sum^ L_{j=1} a^ 2_ j M_ j(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L). \] The solution of problem \({\mathcal P}(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\) is given by the domains \(D_ j(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), the least upper bound \(M(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\) being a maximum attained uniquely for these domains. The proof is by induction, first for schlichtartig domains on the connectivity of the domain and then on the genus. Several writers have formulated other problems in this same context. \textit{K. Strebel} [Festband 70. Geb. Rolf Nevanlinna, 105-127 (1966; Zbl 0156.090)] enunciated the following rather artificial problem designed purely to produce a positive quadratic differential all of whose structure domains are ring domains such that the domains in an admissible family are non-degenerate. He used the author's original method. Problem \(S(m_ 1,\dots,m_ L)\). Let \(m_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), be positive numbers. For an admissible family of domains \(D_ j\) of modules \(M_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), find the least upper bound of \(\min_{j=1,\dots,L}{M_ j\over m_ j}\). \textit{H. Renelt} [Math. Nachr. 73, 125-142 (1976; Zbl 0374.30017)] enunciated the following problem which produces the same sort of admissible family. Problem \(R(b_ 1,\dots,b_ L)\). Let \(b_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), be positive numbers. For an admissible family of domains \(D_ j\) of modules \(M_ j\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), find the greatest lower bound of \(\sum^ L_{j=1} b^ 2_ j M^{-1}_ j\). He used variation of the Dirichlet integral and actually dealt only with plane domains. Both of these problems are easily solved by the use of the fundamental theorem. For problem \(S(m_ 1,\dots,m_ L)\) thus was done in an earlier paper [the author, Complex Anal. Proc. S.U.N.Y. Conf., Brockport 1976, Lect. Notes pure and appl. Math. 36, 65-70 (1978; Zbl 0406.30037)]. For problem \(R(b_ 1,\dots,b_ L)\) this is done in the present paper. Despite a somewhat misleading statement in a paper by \textit{K. Strebel} [Zum Werk Leonhard Eulers, Vortr. Euler-Kolloq., Berlin 1983, 219-238 (1984; Zbl 0547.30038)] the derivations in the opposite direction are much more troublesome. In particular Renelt obtained only a rather obscure result rather than the analogue of the fundamental theorem. In connection with problem \(R(b_ 1,\dots,b_ L)\) if we set \(\beta_ j(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)=a_ j M_ j(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L)\), \(j=1,\dots,L\), it is shown that one can find \(\alpha>0\) so that \[ b_ j=\alpha\beta_ j(a_ 1,\dots,a_ L),\quad j=1,\dots,L. \] \textit{J. H. Hubbard} and \textit{H. Masur} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 82, 77-79 (1976; Zbl 0328.32015)] managed to give a very complicated treatment of a special case of this result.