Branch points of a complex function

In summary, branch points of a complex function are specific values in the complex plane where the function fails to be single-valued or continuous. These points arise in multi-valued functions, such as the square root or logarithm, where different branches of the function can be defined. As a contour is taken around a branch point, the function may return to a different value, leading to the need for branch cuts—lines or curves drawn in the complex plane to define regions where the function is continuous. Understanding branch points is crucial for analyzing complex functions and their behavior in various applications in mathematics and physics.
  • #1
Hill
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Homework Statement
Consider the multifunction ##f(z) = \sqrt {z - 1} \sqrt[3] {z - i}##.
Where are the branch points and what are their orders?
Relevant Equations
##e^{i \frac \theta n} = e^{i \frac {\theta + 2 \pi n} n}##
My answer: one branch point is ##1## of the order 1, another is ##i## of the order 2.
My question is, how can I be sure that these are the only branch points?
 
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  • #2
Prove by construction that, at an arbitrary point in the complex plane excluding 1 and ##i##, each branch of the function ##f## has a continuous inverse. At least one branch of a function does not have a continuous inverse at a branch point. So if every branch has a continuous inverse, it cannot be a branch point.
 
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  • #3
andrewkirk said:
Prove by construction that, at an arbitrary point in the complex plane excluding 1 and ##i##, each branch of the function ##f## has a continuous inverse. At least one branch of a function does not have a continuous inverse at a branch point. So if every branch has a continuous inverse, it cannot be a branch point.
Yes, good point, branch point of product doesn't necessarily coincide with the intersection of the branch points. Could this be expressed in terms of the monodromy groups?
 
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  • #4
andrewkirk said:
Prove by construction that, at an arbitrary point in the complex plane excluding 1 and ##i##, each branch of the function ##f## has a continuous inverse. At least one branch of a function does not have a continuous inverse at a branch point. So if every branch has a continuous inverse, it cannot be a branch point.
If I understand this test correctly:

Let's take a simpler function, ##f(z)=\sqrt z##. It has branch point at 0.
The inverse of this function is ##z(f)=f^2##.
Isn't ##z(f)## continuous everywhere, including the branch point ##f(0)=0##?
 

FAQ: Branch points of a complex function

What is a branch point in the context of complex functions?

A branch point is a point in the complex plane where a multi-valued function (such as the complex logarithm or the square root function) is not well-defined in a single-valued manner. Around this point, the function values cycle through different branches, making it impossible to define a single-valued function without cutting the complex plane.

How do you identify branch points of a complex function?

Branch points can be identified by examining the function's behavior around certain points. For example, for functions involving roots or logarithms, branch points often occur where the argument of the function is zero or where the function becomes infinite. Analyzing the function's analytic continuation and its multi-valued nature helps in locating these points.

What is a branch cut and how is it related to branch points?

A branch cut is a curve or line in the complex plane that is introduced to make a multi-valued function single-valued. It effectively 'cuts' the plane to prevent looping around a branch point, thus avoiding the ambiguity in the function's value. The branch cut typically extends from a branch point to infinity or to another branch point.

Can a complex function have multiple branch points?

Yes, a complex function can have multiple branch points. For instance, the function \( f(z) = \sqrt{z(z-1)(z-2)} \) has branch points at \( z = 0 \), \( z = 1 \), and \( z = 2 \). Each of these points requires careful consideration when defining branch cuts to ensure the function remains single-valued on the chosen domain.

How do branch points affect the integration of complex functions?

Branch points significantly affect the integration of complex functions because they introduce discontinuities. When integrating around branch points, one must account for the multi-valued nature of the function. Contour integrals, for example, often require deforming the path to avoid crossing branch cuts, or using techniques like the residue theorem while considering the function's branches.

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