On linear extremal problems in the class of schlicht functions

Abstract

The form of the Schiffer differential equation puts severe restrictions on the class of functions that can occur as extremal functions for arbitrary coefficient-functionals of finite degree. Theorem 1 characterizes the algebraic extremal functions for coefficient-functionals of finite degree. Furthermore it is shown that the extremal function either is an algebraic function or it must possess a non-isolated singularity, or must have a transcendental branch-point. The results are closely related to the Malmquist-Yosida theorems. However Nevanlinna's Theory of Value Distribution is not the mainly used tool but the special form of the Schiffer differential equation and the multiplicity of certain values together with the Great Picard Theorem are exploited.