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An analytic continuation extends a holomorphic function beyond its original domain without changing its existing values. Formally, if $U\subset V$ are domains and $f$ is holomorphic on $U$, a holomorphic function $F$ on $V$ with $F{|}_U=f$ is an analytic continuation. More locally, holomorphic functions on overlapping open sets continue one another when they agree on the overlap, allowing a chain of patches along a path. The identity theorem for holomorphic functions forces agreement throughout a connected overlap once they agree on a nonempty open set in it. It also makes an extension to a fixed connected domain unique. ^[ref]

The geometric series illustrates why a formula can reach farther than the power series that first represents it. For $z\ne 1$, its partial sum isWhen $|z|<1$, $z^{N+1}\to 0$, so the series converges to $f(z)=1/(1-z)$. The rational function $F(z)=1/(1-z)$ is holomorphic on $\mathbb{C}\setminus \{1\}$ and agrees there with the sum on the unit disc. It therefore continues $f$ to every point except its simple pole at $1$. In particular,Thus analytic continuation gives a value at $2$ without making the original geometric series converge there. Its radius of convergence remains $1$: on $|z|\ge 1$ the terms $z^n$ do not even tend to zero.

The pole at $1$ limits the original Taylor series, although most points of its convergence circle are regular for $F$. Recentring at $-1$ gives another genuinely convergent power series,At $z=-3/2$ this yields $\frac{1}{2}{\sum }_{n\ge 0}(-1/4{)}^n=2/5$, even though the original powers of $-3/2$ grow. This is the useful idea: overlapping local descriptions can represent one holomorphic function on a larger region.

Uniqueness on a connected overlap does not imply that every path leads to the same terminal germ of a holomorphic function. Continuing a complex logarithm around $0$ changes its value by $2\pi i$, giving monodromy; the return patch can carry a different branch of a multivalued function. If two patches have a disconnected overlap, agreement on one component imposes no agreement on the others. ^[ref] Continuation using the rational function $1/(1-z)$ is single-valued: any path avoiding $1$ gives the same terminal germ of a holomorphic function, even if it winds around the pole.

A branch of a multivalued analytic expression is a single-valued holomorphic function on a specified domain that consistently selects one of the expression's possible values. A branch cut is a convenient way to choose such a domain, rather than an intrinsic locus of singularities. On $D=\mathbb{C}\setminus (-\infty ,0]$, the principal logarithm supplies two square-root branchesFor $z=i$, these give $B_{+}(i)=e^{i\pi /4}=(1+i)/\sqrt{2}$ and $B_{-}(i)=-(1+i)/\sqrt{2}$. Their derivatives follow by differentiating $B_{\pm }^2=z$: $B_{\pm }^{\prime }=1/(2B_{\pm })$, so $B_{+}^{\prime }(i)=(1-i)/(2\sqrt{2})$. There are exactly two branches on $D$: for any other holomorphic square root $B$, the ratio $B/B_{+}$ is continuous, takes values in $\{1,-1\}$, and hence is constant on the connected domain.

The cut can move. Choosing $0<\theta <2\pi$ defines a holomorphic logarithm $L_{+}(z)=\log |z|+i\theta$ on $D_{+}=\mathbb{C}\setminus [0,\infty )$. At $-1$ this gives $L_{+}(-1)=i\pi$ and $\exp (L_{+}(-1)/2)=i$, both regular values despite $-1$ lying on the previous cut. In the complex upper half-plane, $L_{+}$ agrees with $\mathrm{Log}$; in the lower half-plane it equals $\mathrm{Log}+2\pi i$, so the corresponding square roots have opposite signs there. The overlap $D\cap D_{+}$ has two components, exactly why the identity theorem cannot force agreement between them. ^[ref]

For example, the limits of $B_{+}$ at $-r$, $r>0$, are $i\sqrt{r}$ from above and $-i\sqrt{r}$ from below. This jump records the chosen branch cut; each point $-r\ne 0$ still has a neighbourhood supporting a holomorphic square root. Moving the cut changes the bookkeeping, while the branch point at $0$ and its monodromy persist. Specifying a branch of a multivalued function is therefore essential before differentiating or performing contour integration with holomorphic square roots, complex logarithms or complex exponentiation.

A branch point is a point around which a sufficiently small loop can change a germ of a holomorphic function under analytic continuation. This is a local condition: a large loop around a regular point might also enclose a distant branch point, so that large loop alone cannot classify the regular point. For the complex logarithm and square root, every nonzero point has a local holomorphic branch, but a loop once around $0$ changes the chosen branch. ^[ref]

For $z=r{e}^{it}$ with fixed $r>0$, start at $t=0$ with values $\sqrt{r}$ and $\log r$. Their continuations areOne counterclockwise turn gives $w(2\pi )=-\sqrt{r}$ and $L(2\pi )=\log r+2\pi i$. At $r=4$, the square root therefore changes from $2$ to $-2$, while the logarithm changes from $\log 4$ to $\log 4+2\pi i$. Two turns restore the square root to $2$; no nonzero number of turns restores the logarithm. This distinguishes a two-sheeted algebraic branch point from a logarithmic singularity.

A pole need not be a branch point: $1/z$ is unbounded near $0$, yet $1/(r{e}^{it})=r^{-1}{e}^{-it}$ returns to its starting value after one turn. Conversely, the square-root values tend to $0$ at their branch point. The issue is whether a single holomorphic choice survives going around the point, rather than whether the values become large. On the Riemann sphere, infinity is also a branch point of both $\sqrt{z}$ and $\log z$: in the local coordinate $\zeta =1/z$, these are ${\zeta }^{-1/2}$ and $-\log \zeta$, whose continuations around $\zeta =0$ change sign and subtract $2\pi i$, respectively. ^[ref]

For $w\ne 0$, different complex logarithm values differ by $2\pi ik$. Applying the exponential function gives the displayed multivalued power. Selecting a single logarithm branch gives one value. When $z=i$, successive branch values differ by the positive factor $e^{-2\pi }$ and lie on one ray of fixed argument $\ln |w|$. If this factor is not one, the nonzero values accumulate at zero in one direction of the integer index.

For an entire function $f$, use the complex logarithm $L$ with argument in $(0,2\pi )$. The unit-circle integral in the title uses the branch's one-sided boundary values at its crossing with the cut. On a keyhole contour, the outward upper bank has $L=\log x$, and the inward lower bank has $L=\log x+2\pi i$. Their combined integral of $f(L-i\pi )$ is $-2\pi i{\int }_{\epsilon }^{1}f(x)dx$. The inner circle contributes $O(\epsilon |\log \epsilon |)$, which vanishes. The Cauchy integral theorem on the slit plane therefore gives the identity.

On $z=e^{i\theta }$, $|L-i\pi |=|\theta -\pi |\le \pi$. The estimation lemma consequently givesSubtracting the middle branch value $i\pi$ centres the weight and produces this bound. The contour crosses the cut only in the limiting boundary-value interpretation, so it is not a closed contour inside the logarithm's domain.

Take a complex logarithm whose radial branch cut has angle $\beta$. On a positively oriented circle, use the one-sided branch values on either side of its crossing with the cut. Parametrize from $\theta =\beta$ to $\beta +2\pi$; adding an integer multiple of $2\pi i$ to the branch does not change the integral because the integral of $dz$ is zero. Along the open arc, a primitive is $z\mathrm{Log}z-z$. Its endpoint difference is $2\pi i$ times the cut-crossing point $R{e}^{i\beta }$, proving the displayed formula. The circle crosses the cut, so this is a piecewise contour integral of boundary values, not the integral of a single holomorphic logarithm on a neighborhood of a closed circle. The Cauchy integral theorem therefore does not make it zero.

Using principal complex logarithms, the inner power is $i^i=e^{-\pi /2}$. Consequentlywhich are different. Thus parentheses in nested complex exponentiation cannot be dropped or moved. There is an additional issue when all complex logarithm branches are allowed: each nested operation must retain its own branch choices. In the first expression, the complete set of values is $-i{e}^{-2\pi m}$, $m\in \mathbb{Z}$; in the second, it is $\exp [i(\pi /2+2\pi m)e^{-(\pi /2+2\pi k)}]$, $k,m\in \mathbb{Z}$. The principal-value comparison already establishes nonassociativity; the multivalued sets make the role of branching explicit.

Set $u=e^{iw}$ in $\cos w=z$. The resulting quadratic equation is $u^2-2zu+1=0$, with roots $z\pm i\sqrt{1-z^2}$. Their product is one, so taking a complex logarithm never encounters zero. Solving the exponential equation gives the displayed full inverse relation, with integer $n$. The principal complex logarithm and principal square root do not make both signs identical to the principal inverse cosine: at $z=0$ they yield $\pm \pi /2$, while principal $\arccos 0=\pi /2$. A single analytic branch requires compatible choices of sign and branches.

A continuous choice of complex logarithm on a negative real interval has a fixed integer $k$ in the displayed expression. The choice with argument $\pi$ is the upper-bank boundary value of the principal logarithm; the usual analytic principal-branch domain itself excludes the negative axis. Consequently, integrating a real weight times that logarithm adds $(2k+1)i\pi$ times the integral of the weight to the real logarithmic integral. The branch choice must be stated.

On a locally path-connected space, on each path component choose a value of a complex logarithm of $f$ at a base point. Continue it along paths using local logarithms. Independence of the path is exactly vanishing of the winding number of a continuous closed path for all loops. This constructs a continuous function $g$ with $f=e^g$. The implication from a logarithm to zero winding requires no local connectivity. For applications to arbitrary planar compact sets, apply the criterion on polygonal neighborhoods rather than assuming the compact set is locally path-connected.

The dilogarithm is the order-two polylogarithm, defined for $|z|<1$ by ${\mathrm{Li}}_2(z)={\sum }_{n\ge 1}{z}^n/n^2$. Its derivative is $-\mathrm{Log}(1-z)/z$, with a removable value at zero; a chosen complex logarithm branch gives its analytic continuation.

Independent increments and stationary increments make a Lévy process's characteristic functions multiplicative in time. Together with continuity of Lévy characteristic functions and the value one at time zero, this forces an exponential. A continuous local complex logarithm is additive: its failure of additivity would be a continuous integer multiple of $2\pi i$, hence zero. The Cauchy functional equation and subdivision then give the exponential at every time. This construction of the characteristic exponent of a Lévy process precedes the Lévy–Khintchine formula describing the exponent's possible form.

On a domain carrying a branch of the complex logarithm, the holomorphic function $-i\mathrm{Log}z$ has real part equal to the chosen angle and imaginary part $-\log |z|$. These are harmonic conjugates; their level sets are rays and circles, meeting orthogonally. For the principal real arctangent $\varphi =\arctan (y/x)$, its domain has the two components $x>0$ and $x<0$. The corresponding holomorphic functions are $-i\mathrm{Log}z$ and $-i\mathrm{Log}(-z)$, using the complex logarithm on the right half-plane. This formulation does not assert a globally single-valued angle on the punctured plane.

A holomorphic logarithm of a nowhere-zero holomorphic function $f$ on a domain $U$ is a holomorphic function $g$ such that $e^{g(z)}=f(z)$ throughout $U$. Differentiating with the chain rule gives $g^{\prime }=f^{\prime }/f$. For $f(z)=z$, a holomorphic logarithm is a branch of the complex logarithm, and its derivative is $1/z$.

The principal logarithm is holomorphic on the slit complex plane $D=\mathbb{C}\setminus (-\infty ,0]$, withHere $\mathrm{Arg}$ is the chosen complex argument, and $\mathrm{Im}\mathrm{Log}z\in (-\pi ,\pi )$. One may conventionally assign a principal value on the negative real axis, but that axis is excluded from this holomorphic domain. ^[ref] For example, $1+i=\sqrt{2}{e}^{i\pi /4}$ gives $\mathrm{Log}(1+i)=\frac{1}{2}\log 2+i\pi /4$ and $(\mathrm{Log}{)}^{\prime }(1+i)=(1-i)/2$; all its other complex logarithms differ by $2\pi ik$, $k\in \mathbb{Z}$.

There is no holomorphic logarithm of $z$ on the punctured complex plane $\mathbb{C}\setminus \{0\}$. Such a function would be a holomorphic primitive of $1/z$, so its contour integral around every closed path would vanish. On the counterclockwise unit circle, however,This is the period obstruction to a holomorphic antiderivative, and also exactly the logarithm change in the monodromy diagram.

Every nowhere-zero holomorphic function $f$ on a simply connected domain $U$ does admit a holomorphic logarithm. Choose $a\in U$ and $b\in \mathbb{C}$ with $e^b=f(a)$, and defineThe Cauchy integral theorem makes this contour integral independent of the path in $U$. Then $g^{\prime }=f^{\prime }/f$ and $(f{e}^{-g}{)}^{\prime }=e^{-g}(f^{\prime }-f{g}^{\prime })=0$; its value at $a$ is $1$, proving $e^g=f$. Any two choices on a connected domain differ by a constant $2\pi ik$, since their difference is continuous and takes values in the discrete set $2\pi i\mathbb{Z}$. ^[ref]

For a computed example, take $f(z)=1+z$ on the unit disc, with $a=b=0$. Expanding $f^{\prime }/f=1/(1+z)$ as a geometric series and integrating givesThe construction also produces holomorphic square roots: $h=e^{g/2}$ satisfies $h^2=f$, so here $h(1/2)=\sqrt{3/2}$. More generally, $e^{\alpha g}$ gives a consistent branch of a multivalued function for complex exponentiation by $\alpha$. A holomorphic logarithm converts multiplicative expressions into additive ones while making the domain restrictions explicit.

In the impermeable strip $x>0$, $0<y<a$, a line source of strength $Q$ at an interior point $c$ has the displayed complex potential of a two-dimensional potential flow, with locally consistent complex logarithm and $f(z)=\cosh (\pi z/a)$. The hyperbolic-cosine map of a half-strip sends the walls to the real axis. An equal image line source at $\overline{f(c)}$ makes that axis a streamline. Since $f^{\prime }(c)\ne 0$, the local singular part remains $Q\log (z-c)/(2\pi )$, proving preservation of strength. With no extra imposed flow, the complex velocity tends to $Q/a$ as $x\to \infty$, so the outgoing volume flux is $Q$. The source position $c$ has positive imaginary part; assuming it real would place it on a wall.

Start at $a=1$ with complex logarithm germ of a holomorphic function $L(1)=0$ and holomorphic square root germ of a holomorphic function $S(1)=1$. On the punctured plane $D=\mathbb{C}\setminus \{0\}$, both admit analytic continuation along every path. To construct it locally, for any $c\ne 0$ choose a small open disc avoiding $0$, select a holomorphic logarithm there, and select its additive multiple of $2\pi i$ to agree with the arriving germ of a holomorphic function; exponentiating half this logarithm supplies the arriving holomorphic square root. A finite chain of these open discs follows any given path.

Compare two paths from $1$ to $i$, parametrized by $0\le t\le 1$:The first follows a counterclockwise quarter-circle; the second follows a clockwise three-quarter-circle. Following ${\gamma }_A$ and then path reversal of ${\gamma }_B$ makes one positive turn about $0$. Its winding number is $1$, so the two paths cannot be homotopic with endpoints fixed in the punctured plane.

The continued values along the chosen paths areAt their common endpoint,Both complex logarithm values exponentiate to $i$, and both holomorphic square root values square to $i$. These give different terminal germ of a holomorphic function representatives, consistently obtained from the same starting germ of a holomorphic function. The monodromy theorem applies, but does not equate these two non-homotopic paths.

The closed path $\lambda (t)=e^{2\pi it}$ instead returns to $1$, with continued values $L_{\lambda }(t)=2\pi it$ and $S_{\lambda }(t)=e^{\pi it}$. One counterclockwise turn changes the complex logarithm by $2\pi i$ and flips the holomorphic square root from $1$ to $-1$. Hence neither initial germ of a holomorphic function can come from a global holomorphic logarithm or a global holomorphic square root of $z$ on the punctured plane. Repeating a loop of winding number $n$ gives the changes $2\pi in$ and $(-1{)}^n$. ^[ref]

Now restrict to the slit domain $D_{\mathrm{slit}}=\mathbb{C}\setminus (-\infty ,0]$. The principal logarithm and $\exp (\mathrm{Log}z/2)$ realize the same initial germ of a holomorphic function for each expression globally. To see that this is a simply connected domain, polar form identifies this domain with $(0,\infty )\times (-\pi ,\pi )$, a convex set; every loop contracts there. The simply connected corollary of the monodromy theorem now forces equality along every pair of paths with matching endpoints. In particular, ${\gamma }_A$ and the segment $\sigma (t)=1-t+it$ both give $L(i)=\pi i/2$ and $S(i)=(1+i)/\sqrt{2}$. The explicit homotopy $H(s,t)=(1-s){\gamma }_A(t)+s\sigma (t)$ stays in the closed first quadrant away from $0$, hence in $D_{\mathrm{slit}}$.

The other route ${\gamma }_B$ crosses the removed ray at $t=2/3$ and is no longer admissible. In the punctured plane, that crossing is locally regular: analytic continuation passes through $-1$ smoothly, although evaluating the principal logarithm would reset its argument. The branch cut changes the allowed domain; it does not create additional branch points or poles. That distinction is the beauty of the obstruction: perfectly compatible local holomorphic functions can fail to make a global choice solely because of the allowed based loops. The branches of a multivalued function article develops how moving the branch cut changes the selected values.

The complex logarithm has infinite-sheeted branching: continuing once around its zero changes its value by $2\pi i$. Multiplication by a function vanishing at that point need not remove the branching. For example $z^m\log z$ with positive integer $m$ tends to zero but changes by $2\pi i{z}^m$ after continuation around zero. This remains a branch point, rather than a removable singularity, because no single-valued holomorphic function exists on a full punctured neighbourhood. The coordinate $w=1/z$ tests logarithmic branching at infinity in the same way.

For Schramm–Loewner evolution with $\kappa =4$ and $Z_t=g_t(z)-2W_t$, the Itô formula for the complex logarithm gives $d\log Z_t=-2Z_t^{-1}d{W}_t$ before swallowing. The drift cancels exactly at this parameter. Its real part is $\log |Z_t|$ and its imaginary part is the SLE4 angle martingale. The real-part quadratic variation is $4\int X_t^2/|Z_t{|}^{4}dt$, which also gives a direct non-swallowing argument.

Monodromy records how a germ of a holomorphic function changes after analytic continuation around a closed path. The source point returns to itself, but the continued germ of a holomorphic function need not. For $z(t)=e^{it}$, $0\le t\le 2\pi$, starting with holomorphic square root value $1$ gives $w(t)=e^{it/2}$ and hence $w(2\pi )=-1$; starting with complex logarithm value $0$ gives $L(t)=it$ and hence $L(2\pi )=2\pi i$. After $m$ counterclockwise turns the values are $(-1{)}^m$ and $2\pi im$. Thus monodromy exchanges the two square-root branches of a multivalued function, whereas it shifts through infinitely many logarithm branches of a multivalued function. ^[ref]

The three panels use the same parameter $t$. They show analytic continuation through local holomorphic patches, including across a chosen branch cut; repeatedly evaluating the principal logarithm would instead reset its imaginary part at the cut. Monodromy makes the obstruction to a global branch of a multivalued function visible and motivates the use of Riemann surfaces as domains on which continued values stay distinct.

For a monotone inviscid parallel shear flow, let a regular neutral Rayleigh equation for inviscid shear flow mode have $U(0)=c_0$, $U^{\prime \prime }(0)=0$, $d=U^{\prime }(0)>0$, and $p={\varphi }_0(0)\ne 0$. A perturbation $c=c_0+\epsilon c_1$ with $\mathrm{Im}{c}_1>0$ resolves the singularity on the inner variable $\eta =y/\epsilon$. The first outer correction has ${\varphi }_1=a+\beta y\log |y|+b_{\pm }y+\cdots$, with $\beta =c_1{U}^{\prime \prime \prime }(0)p/d^2$. The inner particular solution contains $(d\eta -c_1)\log (d\eta -c_1)$. Its complex logarithm has argument tending to zero at positive infinity and to $-\pi$ at negative infinity, giving the displayed matching jump.