General Prerequisites: The course requires second year core analysis (A2 complex analysis). It continues the study of complex variables in the directions suggested by contour integration and conformal mapping. A knowledge of the basic properties of Fourier Transforms is assumed. Part A Waves and Fluids and Part C Perturbation Methods are helpful but not essential.
Course Overview: The course begins where core second-year complex analysis leaves off, and is devoted to extensions and applications of that material. The solution of Laplace's equation using conformal mapping techniques is extended to general polygonal domains and to free boundary problems. The properties of Cauchy integrals are analysed and applied to mixed boundary value problems and singular integral equations. The Fourier transform is generalised to complex values of the transform variable, and used to solve mixed boundary value problems and integral equations via the Wiener-Hopf method.
Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to:
Solve Laplace's equation on various two-dimensional domains using conformal mapping techniques
Use conformal mapping to solve certain free-boundary fluid flow problems
Use the Plemeli formulae for Cauchy integrals to solve mixed boundary value problems and singular integral equations
Use contour integrals and the Wiener-Hopf technique to solve a range of PDE problems and integral equations
Course Synopsis: Review of core complex analysis, analytic continuation, multifunctions, contour integration, conformal mapping and Fourier transforms.
Riemann mapping theorem (in statement only). Schwarz-Christoffel formula. Solution of Laplace's equation by conformal mapping onto a canonical domain; applications including inviscid hydrodynamics; Free streamline flows in the hodograph plane. Unsteady flow with free boundaries in porous media.
Application of Cauchy integrals and Plemelj formulae. Solution of mixed boundary value problems motivated by thin aerofoil theory and the theory of cracks in elastic solids. Reimann-Hilbert problems. Cauchy singular integral equations. Complex Fourier transform. Contour integral solutions of ODE's. Wiener-Hopf method.
