RG Overview of Complex Analysis and Applications
RG Overview of Complex Analysis and Applications
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Edgardo V. Gerck∗
Pasadena City College
∗ All correspondence should be directed to: In this inverse transform, one has rotated the line
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Edgardo Gerck of integration through 90◦ (by using ds = i du).
2
The path has become an infinite vertical line in the As studied elsewhere, finding solutions of partial differ-
complex plane, the constant γ having been chosen so ential equations (PDE) by solving for the characteristics
that all the singularities of f (s) are on the left-hand side. is one of several general techniques. Here, one provides
a general motivation for physics applications. Other
Similar rotation, the Wick rotation [5], was first applications include visualization and geometric aspects
used by Gian Carlo Wick [9], and is an analytic contin- of physical, engineering, such as electronics and com-
uation of t > 0 into −it, sometimes into it, both leading munication theory, aeronautics, and spacecraft design
to t2 → −t2 . solutions, as studied in [4–7].
In physics, the Wick rotation is a method of find- Such is the case in quantum mechanics, where wave-
ing a solution to a mathematical problem in Minkowski functions describing particles are complex-valued
space from a solution to a related problem in Euclidean functions of real space and time variables. The set
space by means of a transformation that substitutes of all wave-functions for a given system is an infinite-
an imaginary-number variable for a real-number variable. dimensional complex Hilbert space [10].
Also explored in [5], one can use what we can call The Schrödinger equation, in quantum mechanics,
the “inverse Wick rotation” or “STA rotation”, such leads to the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) form:
as done in spacetime algebra and Cl(1, 3) [10]. It does
not involve the imaginary axis, like the Wick rotation, ψ = e−iS/~ . (2)
but a real-valued Clifford algebra. It is also an analytic
continuation, but of reals into real bivectors. for the solution of the complex parabolic PDE,
~2 2
∂ψ
The Laplace equation, investigated in [4], is used − ∇ + V ψ = −i~ . (3)
to describe the steady state distribution of heat in a 2m ∂t
body, or its electrical charge. It can also be used in The Schrödinger equation also leads to a real-valued
graphical rendering, to provide a “soap film surface” in Sturm-Liouville Eigenproblem, and the MVM solution,
image design – one treats the pixel values surrounding a which was treated in [12–15]. This is reflected in physics
region as heights of a closed loop of wire, figuring out applications as an efficient approach to bound state
the smooth shape of a soap film that would be bounded eigenproblems [16–23] in physics, which may also be
by that wire. applied in complex-valued situations [24], to be pursued.
It turns out that the complex-value of w(z) is not The Schrödinger Equation further leads to the Hamilton-
important in real-world applications, where real num- Jacobi equation of classical mechanics,
bers must be used. This is the case in quantum
mechanics, where wave-functions describing particles 1 2 ∂S
are complex-valued functions of real space and time (∇S) + V = , (4)
2m ∂t
variables. The set of all wave-functions for a given sys-
tem is an infinite-dimensional complex Hilbert space [11]. in the limit ~ → 0. The classical action S obeys the
Hamilton-Jacobi equation, which is the classical analog
The superposition of waves, with applications to of the Schrödinger equation [3].
physics, quantum mechanics, and engineering was
studied in [7]. A time-dependent electrical pulse (or Substituting ∇ψ = iψ∇S/~, ∂ψ ∂t = iψ ∂S/∂t
~ into
a quantum shape) may be regarded as built-up as the Schrödinger equation, dropping the overall nonva-
a superposition of plane waves of many frequencies, nishing factor ψ, and taking the limit of the resulting
as illustrated below. The change in amplitude (beat equation as ~ → 0, one indeed obtains Eq. (63).
frequency) of the bottom wave is created by the change
in frequency of the top plane waves.
As an example of conformal mapping, in wing de- The graphical basis [4] begins with the Laplace
sign in aerodynamics, one can transform a circle into the equation and harmonic functions. It follows with
wing. By using the Joukowski transformation, conformal conformal mapping, and the geometric justification of
mapping allows a useful representation in aerodynamics, the surprising result that the product of two negative
as shown in [4]: real numbers is a positive real number. All themes
are connected in the interplay between geometry and
algebra, common to complex analysis.
Tensors are covariant because if we write A = A FIG. 8. Contours in the complex plane, avoiding real-valued
in any coordinate system X using tensors, still A = A singularities in −σ and σ. From [7].
in any system with constant velocity relative to X. The
principle here is physical – stated first by Einstein, with The naive view is that the merit of complex analysis
Galileo applying approximately, to low speeds. is that many books and papers have been written
about it, and that it is a difficult subject – that only
In a similar way, one should not confuse a com- mathematicians may find very interesting.
plex reactance in electronic circuits with a single circuit
element, such as a capacitor. The fault of complex analysis, then, it seems, is
that no real-world variable is ever complex – so why
A capacitor can be represented also without any study it in physics and engineering, one may ask. In
complex numbers, exists, is physical, it is a well-known short, complex analysis may be viewed as “too wild” to
physical fact. have sensible applications outside pure mathematics.
Further, the use of a complex reactance brings the With the examples provided in [4–7], these topics
association of circuit elements to a ready calculation have turned out to be important in the study of real
in lower frequency, simple algebra. However, it cannot analysis, engineering, quantum theory, electromag-
represent that same circuit element, in higher or optical netism, aerodynamics, and occupy more and more space
frequencies. in physics and engineering, in general, as well as diverse
topics such as biology and rendering.
It is not that the complex number has some real Complex analysis comes “alive” in these pages through
existence, but that hidden path allows us to consider some of the real-world applications. It also means that
singularities easily in a finite way, like the Residue complex analysis can provide insights that may be useful
Theorem does. Someone, not wishing to use complex in the future, and should be pursued today as a “hidden
numbers, can do the same thing – without trusting the tool-box”, when one studies nature, such as in [30].
Residue Theorem. It is not necessary to use complex
numbers in physics or engineering, and all measurements In physics, being able to visualize and explain re-
of physical facts are real numbers (actually, rational), sults, with diagrams at least, is very important. In
but they can greatly simplify the calculations. mathematics, also in complex analysis, not so im-
portant. What one sees in this investigation, as one
This work explores the applications of complex analysis may come from mathematics to physics, being able to
in physics and engineering. Finding different paths experimentally “troubleshoot” has becomes less usual in
is important, for example, to correctly account for physics, nonetheless being important. For example, the
singularities in real-valued functions: electron must follow Einstein’s Special Relativity, which
introduces non-Euclidean coordinates [31], beyond the
reach even of complex analysis, where tensors can be
introduced [32].
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Complex_Analysis_Analytic_Continuation_II, 2019. tion of the Schrdinger equation for bound states in closed
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tions to Physics and Engineering (IV). Online baryons as bound states of three quarks. Lettere al Nuovo
at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ Cimento 38(1):27-32, Sep 1983. Copy online at https:
330857943_Complex_Analysis_Applications_to_ //www.researchgate.net/publication/243613137_
Physics_and_Engineering_IV, 2019. Heavy_baryons_as_bound_states_of_three_quarks,
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Functions. Physical Review. 96 (4): 11241134. Online K1 rn + Kr2 + C. Report number: EAV-11/78,
at https://journals.aps.org/pr/abstract/10.1103/ Laboratorio de Estudos Avancados, IAE, CTA, S.
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[10] E. Gerck. On the fusion of time and space in spe- at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
cial and general relativity and cosmology. Online 286640675_The_non-relativistic_three-body_
at: https://www.researchgate.net/post/On_the_ problem_with_potential_of_the_form_K1rn_K2r_C,
fusion_of_time_and_space_in_special_and_general_ 1978.
relativity_and_cosmology. [21] Augusto Brando d’Oliveira Ed Gerck. Continued
[11] Note1. A Hilbert space is a vector space H with an inner fraction calculation of the eigenvalues of tridiagonal
product
p < f, g > such that the norm defined by |f | = matrices arising from the Schrdinger equation. Journal
(f, f ) allows H to be a complete metric space. of Computational and Applied Mathematics 6(1):81-82,
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tional Method (MVM), 1. Online at https: net/publication/242978992_Continued_fraction_
//www.researchgate.net/publication/328416858_ calculation_of_the_eigenvalues_of_tridiagonal_
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328870705_On_a_Variational_Method_for_Solving_ vista Brasileira de Ensino de Fsica, 13(1):183-300, Jan
the_Sturm-Liouville_Differential_Equation_II, 83. Copy online at https://www.researchgate.net/
2018. publication/286722113_New_Approach_to_Calculate_
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the Sturm-Liouville Differential Equation, III. Online [23] A. B. d’Oliveira Ed Gerck. The logarithmic
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the_Sturm-Liouville_Differential_Equation_III, port 02/79, Labor‘atorio de Estudos Avancados,
2018. IAE, CTA, S. J. Campos, SP, Brazil. Copy online
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(MVM) for Solving the Sturm-Liouville Differential 286625375_The_logarithmic_and_the_square-root_
Equation. Online at https://www.researchgate.net/ potential_as_confining_potentials_for_quarks,
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Method_MVM_for_Solving_the_Sturm-Liouville_ [24] Alexander Sakhnovich. Hamiltonian systems and sturm-
Differential_Equation, 2018. liouville equations: Darboux transformation and ap-
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Method: An Efficient Approach to Bound State ory, 88(4), Aug 2017. ISSN 1420-8989. doi:
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given by a convergent power series. There exist both Carroll3/Carroll1.html, 1997.
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A complex-valued function f is analytic throughout a re- Accelerator Engineering. Online at https://arxiv.org/
gion in the complex plane if f 0 exists for every point in pdf/1709.09408.pdf, 2017.
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can the Maxwell equations be excluded in EM? On- line at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
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333547756_A_Quantum_Mechanical_View_of_Reality_ [32] Edgardo V. Gerck. Special Relativity Ap-
or_can_the_Maxwell_equations_be_excluded_in_EM, plied to Arbitrary Motion. Online at https:
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Special_Relativity_Applied_to_Arbitrary_Motion,
2018.