An extension of the fusion lemma (Q803838)

In the theory of approximation by rational functions in the complex plane \({\mathbb{C}}\), the following fusion lemma of A. Roth plays an important role; for approximation on Riemann surfaces: For every pair of disjoint compact sets \(K_ 1,K_ 2\subset {\mathbb{C}}\) there is a constant \(\alpha =\alpha (K_ 1,K_ 2)\) with the property: For arbitrary rational functions \(r_ 1,r_ 2\) and any given compact set \(k\subset {\mathbb{C}}\), there is some rational function r with \(| r(z)-r_ j(z)| \leq \alpha \sup_{w\in k}| r_ 1(w)-r_ 2(w)|\) for all \(z\in K_ j\cup k\), \(j=1,2\). It has pointed out that the fusion lemma is not true for \(K_ 1\cap K_ 2\neq \emptyset\) in general. Even for rectangles, \(K_ 1,K_ 2\) the lemma becomes false if there is a common edge of \(K_ 1\) and \(K_ 2\). The statement remains true if \(k:=K_ 1\cap K_ 2\) is a finite set and \({\mathbb{C}}\setminus (K_ 1\cup K_ 2)\) has only finitely many components. In this paper it is proved a more general extension of the fusion lemma which guarantees the existence of the desired function r in several cases in which \(K_ 1\cap K_ 2\) is a continuum. Moreover the compact set k can be chosen arbitrarily, so that \(k=K_ 1\cap K_ 2\) is not required.