< Complex Analysis

Complex Analysis/Identity Theorem

The Identity Theorem is a statement about holomorphic functions, asserting that they are uniquely determined under relatively weak conditions.

Statement

Let be a domain. For two holomorphic functions , the following are equivalent:

(1) (i.e., for all )

(2) There exists a such that for all .

(3) The set { }has a limit point in .

Proof

By considering , we may assume without loss of generality that . Equivalently, the proof is reduced to showing the following three statements:

  • (N1) (i.e., for all )
  • (N2) There exists a such that for all .
  • (N3) The zero set has a limit point in .

Proof Type

The equivalence is proven using a cyclic implication:

Proof (N1 to N2)

(N1) (N2) is obvious, as all derivatives of the zero function are zero.

Proof (N2 to N3)

Assume (N2). Consider the power series expansion in with . Here, for all . Thus, , and (N3) follows.

Proof (N3 to N1) – Contradiction Proof

The step (N3) (N1) is proven by contradiction. Assume the zero set has a limit point and is not the zero function.

Proof 1 - (N3 to N1) - Power Series Expansion at Limit Point

Assume (N3), i.e., the set of zeros of has a limit point . Thus, there exists a sequence with and as well as for all . Let be the power series expansion of around .

Proof 2 - (N3 to N1) - Power Series Expansion

Suppose there exists with . Due to the well-ordering property of , there would also be a smallest such . Then

Proof 3 - (N3 to N1) - Power Series Evaluation

For each , we have

Proof 4 - (N3 to N1) - Limit Process

Since and , we get

As for all as . This contradicts . Therefore, for all , and hence for all , i.e., (N2) holds.

Proof 5 - (N3 to N1) - V is Closed

If (N2) holds, set . is closed in as the intersection of closed sets, because the are continuous, and preimages of closed sets (here ) are closed.

Proof 6 - (N3 to N1) - V is Open

is also open in , as for every , the power series expansion of around vanishes. Thus, is locally zero around . Since , is non-empty, and hence due to the connectedness of .

Proof 7 - From (N1)-(N3) to (1)-(3)

The statement of the Identity Theorem (1)-(3) follows for arbitrary and , by applying (N1)-(N3) to .

See Also

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