Definition.

A region Ω is simply connected iff each loop 7

SUCH THAT 7* С Ω IS LOOP HOMOTOPIC IN Ω TO A CONSTANT MAP.

5.5.9 Exercise. If Ω is simply connected, 7 is a loop such that 7* С Ω,

α € Ω, and 6(t) = a, for some F, 7 ~j?n δ.

5.5.10 Exercise. A convex region is simply connected.

5.5.11 Exercise. A star-shaped region is simply connected.

5.5.12 Lemma. If: a) 7 and δ are loops such that 7* υ δ* с Ω; b)

VIA SOME LOOP HOMOTOPY F, 7 ~F,n δ\ AND с) С IS A COMPONENT OF

U = С \F ([0, l]2), THEN indF(.iS)(a) IS CONSTANT AS S TRAVERSES [0,1]

AND a REMAINS IN C.

Proof. Owing to 2.4.20, indj?(.s)(a) is defined and is a continuous Ъ-

valued function on the connected set [0,1] χ С. □

1}

Section 5.5. Homotopy, Homology, and Holomorphy

247

[ 5.5.13 Note. Although F in 5.5.4 is not a loop homotopy in

Ω of 7 and <5, via some G : [0, l]2 ь-> С, 7 and δ might be loop

homotopic in Ω. However, the inequality

2) ' ' ' " \2

ind 7 ( - ] = 1 φ 0 = ind s

and 5.5.9 deny the possibility.]

5.5.14 Lemma. If 7 and δ are rectifiable loops, a e C, and

||7-i||oo<||7-«l|oo, (5.5.15)

THEN Ind7(a) = Inds(a).

Proof. (A pictorialization of (5.5.15) provides an intuitive argument for

the conclusion.) Owing to (5.5.15), a ^ (7* Ui*), whence, if η = ,

7—a

then

||i - /?||oo < 1,

i.e., η* С D(l, 1)°: η is a loop contained in D(l, 1)° and so lndr,(0) = 0.

On the other hand,

0=lnd„(0)=/ —dt= - dt- -^—dt = kid s (a)-Ind s (a).

Jo V Jo δ -a JQ 7 -a

5.5.16 Exercise, a) If 7 is a rectifiable curve, 7* С Ω, and e > 0, for some

polygon π* and some homotopy F, 7 ~F,n τ and

sup \-y(t)-ir(t)\ <e.

t€[0,l]

b) If 7 and <5 are rectifiable curves, 7* U δ* С Ω, and for some homotopy

F, 7 ~j?n <S, there is a finite sequence {7rt}i<k<K °^ P°lygons and a finite

sequence {Fm}1<k<K+1 of homotopies such that

7 ~Fi,n Tl, ·· ·, Tfe ~Ffc + i,n Tfe + 1, ■· ■,% ~FK + i,n ί

and

Ιΐ7(*)-π1(ί)||00<6,

lki(*)-^(i)||00<c,

kfe(i) -TTfe+i^H^ <e,

248

Chapter 5. Locally Holomorphic Functions

c) If Ω is simply connected, 7 is a rectifiable loop such that 7* С Ω,

and / € Η (Ω), then / f dz = 0. (In particular, the result applies when

a Φ_ Ω and f(z) =f ——: Ind7(a) = 0.)

d) If / € Η(Ω), 7! and 72 are rectifiable curves such that

7^ U 72 С Ω, 7l(0) = 72(0), 7!(1) = 72(1), and 71 ~n 72,

[ fdz= [

then / f dz = I f dz.

'71 Jyi

e) If / € Η(Ω), 7! and 72