A geometric problem in function theory (Q938634)

Suppose that for each \(t\in [0,2\pi)\), \(\Gamma_t\) is a circle of radius \(w(e^{it})\) centered at the origin. A theorem of G. Szegö [see \textit{H. Helson}'s book ``Harmonic Analysis'', Reading, Massachusetts-London etc.: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company (1983; Zbl 0555.43001)], says that if both \(w\) and \(\log w\) are in \(L^1\), then there exists a function \(f\) in the Hardy space \(H^1\) with boundary values \(f(e^{it})\in \Gamma_t\) for a.e. \(t\). The authors prove that the circles in Szegö's theorem can be replaced by other curves. More specifically, they replace the circles by straight lines, hyperbolas, and ellipses; \(H^1\) is also replaced by other Hardy spaces. They also prove the following more general and more difficult result: Let \(\Gamma_t\) be a family of simple closed curves each enclosing a convex domain which contains the origin. Let \(w(e^{it})=\inf_{z\in \Gamma_t}| z| \) and \(W(e^{it})=\sup_{z\in \Gamma_t}| z| \). If \(\log w\in L^1\) and \(W\in L^1\), then there exists a function \(f\in H^1\) such that \(f(e^{it})\in \Gamma_t\) for a.e. \(t\). The proof follows the idea of the standard proof of the Riemann mapping theorem (involving an extremal problem) but with several essential complications.