
In
complex analysis
Complex analysis, traditionally known as the theory of functions of a complex variable, is the branch of mathematical analysis that investigates functions of complex numbers. It is helpful in many branches of mathematics, including algebra ...
, a branch of
mathematics, a
holomorphic function
In mathematics, a holomorphic function is a complex-valued function of one or more complex variables that is complex differentiable in a neighbourhood of each point in a domain in complex coordinate space . The existence of a complex de ...
is said to be of exponential type C if its
growth is bounded by the
exponential function
The exponential function is a mathematical function denoted by f(x)=\exp(x) or e^x (where the argument is written as an exponent). Unless otherwise specified, the term generally refers to the positive-valued function of a real variable, ...
''e''
''C'', ''z'', for some
real-valued
In mathematics, value may refer to several, strongly related notions.
In general, a mathematical value may be any definite mathematical object. In elementary mathematics, this is most often a number – for example, a real number such as or an ...
constant ''C'' as , ''z'', → ∞. When a function is bounded in this way, it is then possible to express it as certain kinds of convergent summations over a series of other complex functions, as well as understanding when it is possible to apply techniques such as
Borel summation, or, for example, to apply the
Mellin transform In mathematics, the Mellin transform is an integral transform that may be regarded as the multiplicative version of the two-sided Laplace transform. This integral transform is closely connected to the theory of Dirichlet series, and is
often use ...
, or to perform approximations using the
Euler–Maclaurin formula. The general case is handled by
Nachbin's theorem
In mathematics, in the area of complex analysis, Nachbin's theorem (named after Leopoldo Nachbin) is commonly used to establish a bound on the growth rates for an analytic function. This article provides a brief review of growth rates, including ...
, which defines the analogous notion of Ψ-type for a general function Ψ(''z'') as opposed to ''e''
''z''.
Basic idea
A function ''f''(''z'') defined on the
complex plane
In mathematics, the complex plane is the plane formed by the complex numbers, with a Cartesian coordinate system such that the -axis, called the real axis, is formed by the real numbers, and the -axis, called the imaginary axis, is formed by th ...
is said to be of exponential type if there exist real-valued constants ''M'' and ''τ'' such that
:
in the limit of
. Here, the
complex variable
Complex analysis, traditionally known as the theory of functions of a complex variable, is the branch of mathematical analysis that investigates functions of complex numbers. It is helpful in many branches of mathematics, including algebra ...
''z'' was written as
to emphasize that the limit must hold in all directions ''θ''. Letting ''τ'' stand for the
infimum
In mathematics, the infimum (abbreviated inf; plural infima) of a subset S of a partially ordered set P is a greatest element in P that is less than or equal to each element of S, if such an element exists. Consequently, the term ''greatest ...
of all such ''τ'', one then says that the function ''f'' is of ''exponential type τ''.
For example, let
. Then one says that
is of exponential type π, since π is the smallest number that bounds the growth of
along the imaginary axis. So, for this example,
Carlson's theorem cannot apply, as it requires functions of exponential type less than π. Similarly, the
Euler–Maclaurin formula cannot be applied either, as it, too, expresses a theorem ultimately anchored in the theory of
finite difference
A finite difference is a mathematical expression of the form . If a finite difference is divided by , one gets a difference quotient. The approximation of derivatives by finite differences plays a central role in finite difference methods for t ...
s.
Formal definition
A
holomorphic function
In mathematics, a holomorphic function is a complex-valued function of one or more complex variables that is complex differentiable in a neighbourhood of each point in a domain in complex coordinate space . The existence of a complex de ...
is said to be of exponential type
if for every
there exists a real-valued constant
such that
:
for
where
.
We say
is of exponential type if
is of exponential type
for some
. The number
:
is the exponential type of
. The
limit superior
In mathematics, the limit inferior and limit superior of a sequence can be thought of as limiting (that is, eventual and extreme) bounds on the sequence. They can be thought of in a similar fashion for a function (see limit of a function). For ...
here means the limit of the
supremum
In mathematics, the infimum (abbreviated inf; plural infima) of a subset S of a partially ordered set P is a greatest element in P that is less than or equal to each element of S, if such an element exists. Consequently, the term ''greatest l ...
of the ratio outside a given radius as the radius goes to infinity. This is also the limit superior of the maximum of the ratio at a given radius as the radius goes to infinity. The limit superior may exist even if the maximum at radius ''r'' does not have a limit as ''r'' goes to infinity. For example, for the function
:
the value of
:
at
is dominated by the
term so we have the asymptotic expressions:
:
and this goes to zero as ''n'' goes to infinity, but ''F''(''z'') is nevertheless of exponential type 1, as can be seen by looking at the points
.
Exponential type with respect to a symmetric convex body
has given a generalization of exponential type for
entire function
In complex analysis, an entire function, also called an integral function, is a complex-valued function that is holomorphic on the whole complex plane. Typical examples of entire functions are polynomials and the exponential function, and any fin ...
s of
several complex variables
The theory of functions of several complex variables is the branch of mathematics dealing with complex number, complex-valued functions. The name of the field dealing with the properties of function of several complex variables is called several ...
.
Suppose
is a
convex
Convex or convexity may refer to:
Science and technology
* Convex lens, in optics
Mathematics
* Convex set, containing the whole line segment that joins points
** Convex polygon, a polygon which encloses a convex set of points
** Convex polytop ...
,
compact
Compact as used in politics may refer broadly to a pact or treaty; in more specific cases it may refer to:
* Interstate compact
* Blood compact, an ancient ritual of the Philippines
* Compact government, a type of colonial rule utilized in British ...
, and
symmetric
Symmetry (from grc, συμμετρία "agreement in dimensions, due proportion, arrangement") in everyday language refers to a sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion and balance. In mathematics, "symmetry" has a more precise definit ...
subset of
. It is known that for every such
there is an associated
norm with the property that
:
In other words,
is the unit ball in
with respect to
. The set
:
is called the
polar set and is also a
convex
Convex or convexity may refer to:
Science and technology
* Convex lens, in optics
Mathematics
* Convex set, containing the whole line segment that joins points
** Convex polygon, a polygon which encloses a convex set of points
** Convex polytop ...
,
compact
Compact as used in politics may refer broadly to a pact or treaty; in more specific cases it may refer to:
* Interstate compact
* Blood compact, an ancient ritual of the Philippines
* Compact government, a type of colonial rule utilized in British ...
, and
symmetric
Symmetry (from grc, συμμετρία "agreement in dimensions, due proportion, arrangement") in everyday language refers to a sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion and balance. In mathematics, "symmetry" has a more precise definit ...
subset of
. Furthermore, we can write
:
We extend
from
to
by
:
An entire function
of
-complex variables is said to be of exponential type with respect to
if for every
there exists a real-valued constant
such that
: