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Let $\varphi$ be a univalent non-elliptic self-map of the unit disc $\mathbb D$ and let $(\psi_{t})$ be a continuous one-parameter semigroup of holomorphic functions in $\mathbb D$ such that $\psi_{1}\neq\mathrm{id}_{\mathbb D}$ commutes with $\varphi$. This assumption does not imply that all elements of the semigroup $(\psi_t)$ commute with $\varphi$. In this paper, we provide a number of sufficient conditions that guarantee that ${\psi_t\circ\varphi=\varphi\circ\psi_t}$ for all ${t>0}$: this holds, for example, if $\varphi$ and $\psi_1$ have a common boundary (regular or irregular) fixed point different from their common Denjoy-Wolff point $\tau$, or when $\psi_1$ has a boundary regular fixed point ${\sigma\neq\tau}$ at which $\varphi$ is isogonal, or when $(\varphi-\mathrm{id}_{\mathbb D})/(\psi_1-\mathrm{id}_{\mathbb D})$ has an unrestricted limit at $\tau$. In addition, we analyze how $\varphi$ behaves in the petals of the semigroup $(\psi_t)$.

The embeddability problem is a very old and hard problem in discrete holomorphic iteration which deals with determining general conditions on a given univalent self-map $\varphi$ of the unit disc $\mathbb D$ in order to be contained in a continuous one-parameter semigroup. In this paper, we tackle this embedding problem by establishing different dichotomy results about the centralizer of $\varphi$ (i.e. the set of all univalent self-maps commuting with $\varphi$) which depend strongly on the dynamical character of $\varphi$. Our approach is, in part, based on a new technique to obtain simultaneous linearizations of two non-elliptic univalent self-maps of the unit disc, which might be interesting on their own. We also introduce and study several closed additive subsemigroups of the complex plane that collect the main features of the centralizer of $\varphi$ and which play a prominent position in those dichotomy results., Comment: Ver3: The most important changes concern our viewpoint on the result about the simultaneous linearization of commuting self-maps, Theorem 4.1. Accordingly, a part of Introduction and Section 4 have been re-organized. Ver2: an error in the list of references and a misprint in the Introduction are corrected; references [7,23] are added

Motivated by the study of composition operators on model spaces launched by Mashreghi and Shabankha we consider the following problem: for a given inner function $\phi\not\in\mathsf{Aut}(\mathbb D)$, find a non-constant inner function $\Psi$ satisfying the functional equation $\Psi\circ\phi=\tau\Psi$, where $\tau$ is a unimodular constant. We prove that this problem has a solution if and only if $\phi$ is of positive hyperbolic step. More precisely, if this condition holds, we show that there is an infinite Blaschke product $B$ satisfying the equation for $\tau=1$. If in addition, $\phi$ is parabolic, we prove that the problem has a solution $\Psi$ for $any$ unimodular $\tau$. Finally, we show that if $\phi$ is of zero hyperbolic step, then no non-constant Bloch function $f$ and no unimodular constant $\tau$ satisfy $f\circ\phi=\tau f$.

We study the angular derivative problem for petals of one-parameter semigroups of holomorphic self-maps of the unit disk. For hyperbolic petals we prove a necessary and sufficient condition for the conformality of the petal in terms of the intrinsic hyperbolic geometry of the petal and the backward dynamics of the semigroup. For parabolic petals we characterize conformality of the petal in terms of the asymptotic behaviour of the Koenigs function at the Denjoy-Wolff point., Comment: Dedicated to the memory of Professor Larry Zalcman; final version to appear in Revista Mathem\'atica Iberoamericana

The main purpose of this paper is to study time-inhomogeneous one-dimensional branching processes (mainly on a continuous but also on a discrete state space) with the help of recent achievements in Loewner Theory dealing with evolution families of holomorphic self-maps in simply connected domains of the complex plane. Under a suitable stochastic continuity condition, we show that the families of the Laplace exponents of branching processes on $[0,\infty]$ can be characterized as topological (i.e. depending continuously on the time parameters) reverse evolution families whose elements are Bernstein functions. For the case of a stronger regularity w.r.t. time, we establish a Loewner - Kufarev type ODE for the Laplace exponents and characterize branching processes with finite mean in terms of the vector field driving this ODE. Similar results are obtained for families of probability generating functions for branching processes on the discrete state space $\{0,1,2,\ldots\}\cup\{\infty\}$. In addition, we find necessary and sufficient conditions for "spatial" embeddability of such branching processes into branching processes on $[0,\infty]$. Finally, we give some probabilistic interpretations of the Denjoy - Wolff point at $0$ and at $\infty$., Comment: Reference [16] has been updated

One-parameter semigroups of holomorphic functions appear naturally in various applications of Complex Analysis, and in particular, in the theory of (temporally) homogeneous Markov processes. A suitable analogue of one-parameter semigroups in the inhomogeneous setting is the notion of a (reverse) evolution family. In this paper we study evolution families formed by Bernstein functions, which play the role of Laplace exponents for inhomogeneous continuous-state branching processes. In particular, we characterize all Herglotz vector fields that generate such evolution families and give a complex-analytic proof of a qualitative description equivalent to Silverstein's representation formula for the infinitesimal generators of one-parameter semigroups of Bernstein functions. We also establish several sufficient conditions for families of holomorphic self-maps, satisfying the algebraic part in the definition of an evolution family, to be absolutely continuous and hence to be described as solutions to the generalized Loewner - Kufarev differential equation. Most of these results are then applied in the sequel paper [https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2211.12442] to study continuous-state branching processes., Comment: A reference to the sequel preprint "Loewner Theory for Bernstein functions II" is added in the abstract. Ver.2: References [19] and [32] have been updated and a small error on page 22 (the very end of the proof of Theorem 3) has been corrected Ver.3: the grant info has been updated

In this paper we study the class of "shearing" holomorphic maps of the unit ball of the form $(z,w)\mapsto (z+g(w), w)$. Besides general properties, we use such maps to construct an example of a normalized univalent map of the ball onto a Runge domain in $\mathbb C^n$ which however cannot be embedded into a Loewner chain whose range is $\mathbb C^n$., Comment: Dedicated to the memory of our friend Prof. Gabriela Kohr

In a recent paper, Ng, Tang and Tsai (Math. Ann. 2020) have found an explicit formula for the squeezing function of an annulus via the Loewner differential equation. Their result has led them to conjecture a corresponding formula for planar domains of any finite connectivity stating that the extremum in the squeezing function problem is achieved for a suitably chosen conformal mapping onto a circularly slit disk. In this paper we disprove this conjecture. We also give a conceptually simple potential-theoretic proof of the explicit formula for the squeezing function of an annulus which has the added advantage of identifying all extremal functions., Comment: Version 2: (1) a statement on the history of the notion of squeezing function has been corrected; (2) a new reference [5] (F. Deng: Levi's problem, convexity, and squeezing functions on bounded domains) has been added; (3) a small technical issue with numbering of equations has been resolved

We study relationships between the asymptotic behaviour of a non-elliptic semigroup of holomorphic self-maps of the unit disk and the geometry of its planar domain (the image of the Koenigs function). We establish a sufficient condition for the trajectories of the semigroup to converge to its Denjoy-Wolff point with a definite slope. We obtain as a corollary two previously known sufficient conditions.

A well-known theorem by J. Becker states that if a normalized univalent function $f$ in the unit disk $\mathbb{D}$ can be embedded as the initial element into a Loewner chain $(f_t)_{t\geqslant 0}$ such that the Herglotz function $p$ in the Loewner -- Kufarev PDE $$\partial f_t(z)/\partial f=zf'_t(z)p(z,t),\qquad z\in\mathbb{D},\quad\mathrm{a.e.}~t\ge0,$$ satisfies $\big|(p(z,t)-1)/(p(z,t)+1)\big|\le k<1$, then $f$ admits a $k$-q.c. (="$k$-quasiconformal") extension $F:\mathbb{C}\to\mathbb{C}$. The converse is not true. However, a simple argument shows that if $f$ has a $q$-q.c. extension with $q\in(0,1/6)$, then Becker's condition holds with $k:=6q$. In this paper we address the following problem: find the largest $k_*\in(0,1]$ with the property that for any $q\in(0,k_*)$ there exists $k_0(q)\in(0,1)$ such that every normalized univalent function $f:\mathbb D\to\mathbb C$ with a $q$-q.c. extension to $\mathbb C$ satisfies Becker's condition with $k:=k_0(q)$. We prove that $k_*\ge1/3$., Comment: A few minor errors and misprints are corrected. Some details are added

We study infinitesimal generators of one-parameter semigroups in the unit disk $\mathbb D$ having prescribed boundary regular fixed points. Using an explicit representation of such infinitesimal generators in combination with Krein-Milman Theory we obtain new sharp inequalities relating spectral values at the fixed points with other important quantities having dynamical meaning.vWe also give a new proof of the classical Cowen-Pommerenke inequalities for univalent self-maps of $\mathbb D$.

The paper deals with a modified Godbillon-Vey class defined by Losik for codimension-one foliations. This characteristic class takes values in the cohomology of the second order frame bundle over the leaf space of the foliation. The definition of the Reeb foliation depends upon two real functions satisfying certain conditions. All these foliations are pairwise homeomorphic and have trivial Godbillon-Vey class. We show that the modified Godbillon-Vey is non-trivial for some Reeb foliations and it is trivial for some other Reeb foliations. In particular, the modified Godbillon-Vey class can distinguish non-diffeomorphic foliations and it provides more information than the classical Godbillon-Vey class. We also show that this class is non-trivial for some foliations on the two-dimensional surfaces., Comment: a corrected version

We investigate univalent functions $f(z)=z+a_2z^2+a_3z^3+\ldots$ in the unit disk $\mathbb D$ extendible to $k$-q.c.(=quasiconformal) automorphisms of $\mathbb C$. In particular, we answer a question on estimation of $|a_3|$ raised by K\"uhnau and Niske [Math. Nachr. 78 (1977) 185-192]. This is one of the results we obtain studying univalent functions that admit q.c.-extensions via a construction, based on Loewner's parametric representation method, due to Becker [J. Reine Angew. Math. 255 (1972) 23-43]. Another problem we consider is to find the maximal $k_*\in(0,1]$ such that every univalent function $f$ in $\mathbb D$ having a $k$-q.c. extension to $\mathbb C$ with $k\leqslant k_*$ admits also a Becker q.c.-extension, possibly with a larger upper bound for the dilatation. We prove that $k_*>1/6$. Moreover, we show that in some cases, Becker's extension turns out to be the optimal one. Namely, given any $k\in(0,1)$, to each finite Blaschke product there corresponds a univalent function $f$ in $\mathbb D$ that admits a Becker $k$-q.c. extension but no $k'$-q.c. extensions to $\mathbb C$ with $k'

In 1972, J. Becker [J. Reine Angew. Math. 255] discovered a sufficient condition for quasiconformal extendibility of Loewner chains. Many known conditions for quasiconformal extendibility of holomorphic functions in the unit disk can be deduced from his result. We give a new proof of (a generalization of) Becker's result based on Slodkowski's Extended lambda-Lemma. Moreover, we characterize all quasiconformal extensions produced by Becker's (classical) construction and use that to obtain examples in which Becker's extension is extremal (i.e. optimal in the sense of maximal dilatation) or, on the contrary, fails to be extremal.

In this paper we find the exact value region $\mathcal V(z_0,T)$ of the point evaluation functional $f\mapsto f(z_0)$ over the class of all holomorphic injective self-maps $f:\mathbb D\to\mathbb D$ of the unit disk $\mathbb D$ having a boundary regular fixed point at $\sigma=-1$ with $f'(-1)=e^{T}$ and the Denjoy - Wolff point at $\tau=1$., Comment: In version 2, reference [13] and Figure 1 have been added

A classical result in the theory of Loewner's parametric representation states that the semigroup $\mathfrak U_*$ of all conformal self-maps $\phi$ of the unit disk $\mathbb{D}$ normalized by $\phi(0) = 0$ and $\phi'(0) > 0$ can be obtained as the reachable set of the Loewner - Kufarev control system $$ \frac{\mathrm{d} w_t}{\mathrm{d} t}=G_t\circ w_t,\quad t\geqslant0,\qquad w_0=\mathsf{id}_{\mathbb{D}}, $$ where the control functions $t\mapsto G_t\in\mathsf{Hol}(\mathbb{D},\mathbb{C})$ form a certain convex cone. Here we extend this result to the semigroup $\mathfrak U[F]$ consisting of all conformal $\phi:\mathbb{D}\to\mathbb{D}$ whose set of boundary regular fixed points contains a given finite set $F\subset\partial\mathbb{D}$ and to its subsemigroup $\mathfrak U_\tau[F]$ formed by $\mathsf{id}_{\mathbb{D}}$ and all $\phi\in\mathfrak U[F]\setminus\{\mathsf{id}_{\mathbb{D}}\}$ with the prescribed boundary Denjoy - Wolff point $\tau\in\partial\mathbb{D}\setminus F$. This completes the study launched in [P. Gumenyuk, Preprint 2016, ArXiv:1603.04043], where the case of interior Denjoy - Wolff point $\tau\in\mathbb{D}$ was considered.

Given a set $\mathfrak S$ of conformal maps of the unit disk $\mathbb D$ into itself that is closed under composition, we address the question whether $\mathfrak S$ can be represented as the reachable set of a Loewner - Kufarev - type ODE $\mathrm{d}w_t/\mathrm{d}t=G_t\circ w_t$, $w_0=\mathsf{id}_{\mathbb D}$, where the control functions $t\mapsto G_t$ form a convex cone $\mathcal M_{\mathfrak S}$. For the set of all conformal $\varphi:\mathbb D\to\mathbb D$ with $\varphi(0)=0$, $\varphi'(0)>0$, an affirmative answer to this question is the essence of Loewner's well-known Parametric Representation of univalent functions [Math. Ann. 89 (1923), 103-121]. In this paper, we study classes of conformal self-maps defined by their boundary regular fixed points and, in part of the cases, establish their Loewner-type representability., Comment: Version 3: Introduction has been modified; Example 3.1 added + other minor corrections

In 1972, Becker [J. Reine Angew. Math. 255 (1972), 23-43] discovered a construction of quasiconformal extensions making use of the classical radial Loewner chains. In this paper we develop a chordal analogue of Becker's construction. As an application, we establish new sufficient conditions for quasiconformal extendibility of holomorphic functions and give a simplified proof of one well-known result by Becker and Pommerenke for functions in the half-plane [J. Reine Angew. Math. 354 (1984), 74-94].

We introduce a notion of hyperbolicity and parabolicity for a holomorphic self-map $f: \Delta^N \to \Delta^N$ of the polydisc which does not admit fixed points in $\Delta^N$. We generalize to the polydisc two classical one-variable results: we solve the Valiron equation for a hyperbolic $f$ and the Abel equation for a parabolic nonzero-step $f$. This is done by studying the canonical Kobayashi hyperbolic semi-model of $f$ and by obtaining a normal form for the automorphisms of the polydisc. In the case of the Valiron equation we also describe the space of all solutions., Comment: A few references are added

It has been an open problem for about ten years whether every trajectory of a parabolic one-parameter semigroup in the unit disk tends to the Denjoy-Wolff point with a definite (and common for all trajectories) slope. In this paper, we give the negative answer to this question.

We study boundary singularities which can appear for infinitesimal generators of one-parameter semigroups of holomorphic self-maps in the unit disc. We introduce "regular" fractional singularities and characterize them in terms of the behavior of the associated semigroups and Koenigs functions. We also provide necessary and sufficient geometric criteria on the shape of the image of the Koenigs function for having such singularities. In order to do this, we study contact points of semigroups and prove that any contact (not fixed) point of a one-parameter semigroup corresponds to a maximal arc on the boundary to which the associated infinitesimal generator extends holomorphically as a vector field tangent to this arc., Comment: A reference to [Elin, Mark; Khavinson, Dmitry; Reich, Simeon; Shoikhet, David. Linearization models for parabolic dynamical systems via Abel's functional equation. Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn. Math. 35 (2010), no. 2, 439--472] is added

We characterize regular fixed points of evolution families in terms of analytical properties of the associated Herglotz vector fields and geometrical properties of the associated Loewner chains. We present several examples showing the r\^ole of the given conditions. Moreover, we study the relations between evolution families and Herglotz vector fields at regular contact points and prove an embedding result for univalent self-maps of the unit disc with a given boundary regular fixed point into an evolution family with prescribed boundary data., Comment: 28 pages

The aim of this survey paper is to present a complete direct proof of the well celebrated cornerstone result in Loewner Theory, originally due to Kufarev et al [Trudy Tomsk. Gos. Univ. Ser. Meh.-Mat. 200 (1968) 142-164. MR0257336 (41 #1987)], stating that the family of the hydrodynamically normalized conformal self-maps of the upper-half plane onto the complement of a gradually erased slit satisfies, under a suitable parametrization, the chordal Loewner differential equation. The proof is based solely on basic theorems of Geometric Function Theory combined with some elementary topological facts and does not require any advanced technique., Comment: A minor mistake in the proof of Proposition 2.2 is corrected, thanks to Iason Efraimidis (Universidad Autonoma de Madrid)

We study local boundary behaviour of one-parameter semigroups of holomorphic functions in the unit disk. Earlier under some addition condition (the position of the Denjoy - Wolff point) it was shown in [M.D.Contreras, S.Diaz-Madrigal and Ch.Pommerenke, Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn. Math. 29(2004), No.2, 471-488] that elements of one-parameter semigroups have angular limits everywhere on the unit circle and unrestricted limits at all boundary fixed points. We prove stronger versions of these statements with no assumption on the position of the Denjoy - Wolff point. In contrast to many other problems, in the question of existence for unrestricted limits it appears to be more complicated to deal with the boundary Denjoy - Wolff point (the case not covered in [M.D.Contreras, S.Diaz-Madrigal and Ch.Pommerenke, Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn. Math. 29(2004), No.2, 471-488]) than with all the other boundary fixed points of the semigroup., Comment: Some changes are made in this version: misprints and minor errors are corrected, the information on the grant support is added

Among diversity of frameworks and constructions introduced in Loewner Theory by different authors, one can distinguish two closely related but still different ways of reasoning, which colloquially may be described as "increasing" and "decreasing". In this paper we review in short the main types of (deterministic) Loewner evolution discussed in the literature and describe in detail the local duality between "increasing" and "decreasing" cases within the general unifying approach in Loewner Theory proposed recently in [Bracci et al. to appear in J Reine Angew Math; arXiv:0807.1594v1], [Bracci et al. in Math Ann 344:947-962, 2009; arXiv:0807.1715v1], [Contreras et al. in Revista Matem\'atica Iberoamericana 26:975-1012, 2010; arXiv:0902.3116v1]. In particular, we extend several results of R.O.Bauer [in J Math Anal Appl 302:484-501, 2005; arXiv:math/0306130v1], which deal with the chordal Loewner evolution, to this general setting. Although the duality is given by a simple change of the parameter, not all the results for the "decreasing" case can be obtained by mere translating the corresponding results for the "increasing" case. In particular, as a byproduct of establishing local duality between evolution families and their "decreasing" counterparts we obtain a new characterization of generalized Loewner chains.

Loewner Theory, based on dynamical viewpoint, proved itself to be a powerful tool in Complex Analysis and its applications. Recently Bracci et al [Bracci et al, to appear in J. Reine Angew. Math. Available on ArXiv 0807.1594; Bracci et al, Math. Ann. 344(2009), 947--962; Contreras et al, Revista Matematica Iberoamericana 26(2010), 975--1012] have proposed a new approach bringing together all the variants of the (deterministic) Loewner Evolution in a simply connected reference domain. This paper is devoted to the construction of a general version of Loewner Theory for the annulus launched in [ArXiv 1011.4253]. We introduce the general notion of a Loewner chain over a system of annuli and obtain a 1-to-1 correspondence between Loewner chains and evolution families in the doubly connected setting similar to that in the Loewner Theory for the unit disk. Futhermore, we establish a conformal classification of Loewner chains via the corresponding evolution families and via semicomplete weak holomorphic vector fields. Finally, we extend the explicit characterization of the semicomplete weak holomorphic vector fields obtained in [ArXiv 1011.4253] to the general case.

Loewner Theory, based on dynamical viewpoint, is a powerful tool in Complex Analysis, which plays a crucial role in such important achievements as the proof of famous Bieberbach's conjecture and well-celebrated Schramm's Stochastic Loewner Evolution (SLE). Recently Bracci et al [Bracci et al, to appear in J. Reine Angew. Math. Available on ArXiv 0807.1594; Bracci et al, Math. Ann. 344(2009), 947--962; Contreras et al, Revista Matematica Iberoamericana 26(2010), 975--1012] have proposed a new approach bringing together all the variants of the (deterministic) Loewner Evolution in a simply connected reference domain. We construct an analogue of this theory for the annulus. In this paper, the first of two articles, we introduce a general notion of an evolution family over a system of annuli and prove that there is a 1-to-1 correspondence between such families and semicomplete weak holomorphic vector fields. Moreover, in the non-degenerate case, we establish a constructive characterization of these vector fields analogous to the non-autonomous Berkson - Porta representation of Herglotz vector fields in the unit disk [Bracci et al, to appear in J. Reine Angew. Math. Available on ArXiv 0807.1594]., Comment: 42 pages

Loewner Theory is a deep technique in Complex Analysis affording a basis for many further important developments such as the proof of famous Bieberbach's conjecture and well-celebrated Schramm's Stochastic Loewner Evolution (SLE). It provides analytic description of expanding domains dynamics in the plane. Two cases have been developed in the classical theory, namely the {\it radial} and the {\it chordal} Loewner evolutions, referring to the associated families of holomorphic self-mappings being normalized at an internal or boundary point of the reference domain, respectively. Recently there has been introduced a new approach [arXiv:0807.1594v1, arXiv:0807.1715v1, arXiv:0902.3116v1] bringing together, and containing as quite special cases, radial and chordal variants of Loewner Theory. In the framework of this approach we address the question what kind of systems of simply connected domains can be described by means of Loewner chains of chordal type. As an answer to this question we establish a necessary and sufficient condition for a set of simply connected domains to be the range of a generalized Loewner chain of chordal type. We also provide an easy-to-check geometric sufficient condition for that. In addition, we obtain analogous results for the less general case of chordal Loewner evolution considered by I.A.Aleksandrov, S.T.Aleksandrov and V.V.Sobolev, 1983; V.V.Goryainov and I.Ba, 1992; R.O.Bauer, 2005 [arXiv:math/0306130v1].

In this paper we introduce a general version of the notion of Loewner chains which comes from the new and unified treatment, given in [arXiv:0807.1594], of the radial and chordal variant of the Loewner differential equation, which is of special interest in geometric function theory as well as for various developments it has given rise to, including the famous Schramm-Loewner evolution. In this very general setting, we establish a deep correspondence between these chains and the evolution families introduced in [arXiv:0807.1594]. Among other things, we show that, up to a Riemann map, such a correspondence is one-to-one. In a similar way as in the classical Loewner theory, we also prove that these chains are solutions of a certain partial differential equation which resembles (and includes as a very particular case) the classical Loewner-Kufarev PDE.

Given a conformal mapping $f$ of the unit disk $\mathbb D$ onto a simply connected domain $D$ in the complex plane bounded by a closed Jordan curve, we consider the problem of constructing a matching conformal mapping, i.e., the mapping of the exterior of the unit disk $\mathbb D^*$ onto the exterior domain $D^*$ regarding to $D$. The answer is expressed in terms of a linear differential equation with a driving term given as the kernel of an operator dependent on the original mapping $f$. Examples are provided. This study is related to the problem of conformal welding and to representation of the Virasoro algebra in the space of univalent functions., Comment: 17 pages