Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2015/iii/paper-70/2/a/solution

Use the Wirtinger derivative and write . Since solves the Laplace equation, is a holomorphic function. The transforms in the question select solutions with sufficient decay at infinity. In this class the solution, when it exists, is unique; hence reflection of the symmetric data about gives
For , this uniqueness follows directly from Green's first identity: the homogeneous problem has integral . For arbitrary real , the decaying-class qualifications are explained in part (c). Without a condition at infinity, symmetry of the data alone would not force symmetry of every solution.
Put , , and introduce a known transform
The bottom Robin boundary condition gives , while the top one gives . The bottom side is traversed from infinity to zero. Integration by parts therefore gives
The top side is traversed from towards infinity, and its exponential supplies , giving
On the vertical side, and the prescribed Neumann boundary condition is . Thus
Both the side orientations and the factor from the Wirtinger derivative are essential to these signs.

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